If you’ve had your water heater for more than 8-10 years, chances are it’s time to replace it. But before you do, it’s important to know the risks associated with using an old water heater. Not only could your bills skyrocket, but your safety and the safety of others could be at risk as well. Let’s take a look at what the dangers of using an old water heater are and why you should hire a professional to replace it.
The Average Cost of a Failed Water Heater
Water heaters can fail in several ways, from explosion due to gas pressure build up to leaks that can cause extensive damage to your home. In most cases, these failures occur due to age or improper installation. Unfortunately, replacing a failed water heater isn’t cheap – the average cost is between $500-$1200 depending on the size and type of system you need. And that doesn’t include repair costs if any part of the system needs repairs or replacement before installation can begin.
How Do You Know If Your Water Heater Needs Replacing or Repair?
If your water heater is more than 10 years old and making strange noises, such as popping or hissing, there’s a good chance it needs replacing. You may also notice signs that it’s not working as efficiently as it used to – hot showers may take ages to become warm or they might never get hot enough at all! Additionally, if there’s rust in your bathtub when running hot water or there are puddles near the base of the unit – it’s time for a replacement! Lastly, check and make sure you don’t see any cracks in the tank itself; this would be an indication that something has gone wrong internally and will require replacement immediately!
What Are The Dangers Of Replacing A Water Heater Yourself?
Unless you’re a professional plumber with experience in installing water heaters (and even then!), replacing one yourself is dangerous for both you and anyone else living in your home. First off, attempting this job without proper knowledge can lead to electrical shocks or even fires caused by incorrect wiring. Secondly, gas pressure build-up inside a malfunctioning unit can cause explosions if handled incorrectly – which no one wants! Finally, improperly installed systems may not last long enough – meaning costly repairs down the line! So always leave this kind of work up to professionals who know what they’re doing!
What Is The Average Cost Of Having A Water Heater Professionally Installed?
The average cost for having a professional install your new water heater ranges from around $600-$2,000 depending on factors like size/type/brand/location etc.. This may seem like quite an expensive investment but remember that experts will ensure everything is done correctly so there won’t be any surprises down the line with faulty wiring or leaking pipes etc.. Plus – hiring someone also means peace of mind knowing that everything was done safely and correctly so you won’t have anything to worry about!
Replacing an old water heater is not something you should try tackling yourself unless you are qualified. Attempting such a job without proper knowledge can lead to electrical shocks or even fires caused by incorrect wiring; gas pressure build-up inside a malfunctioning unit can cause explosions if handled incorrectly; improperly installed systems may not last long enough requiring costly repairs down the line; and finally leaving this kind of work up to professionals who know what they’re doing ensures peace of mind knowing that everything was done safely and correctly so you won’t have anything to worry about! So when considering whether or not its time for a new water heater—always hire a professional! It’ll save time, money—and maybe even lives in the long run!