We expect our hot water heater to provide hot water on demand. That’s its job. But if you are always waiting for water to heat up, or you have to negotiate shower times, or you must choose between washing clothes or running the dishwasher, you may need a new or a larger tank.
Consider Age and Use
Maybe your tank is getting older. After ten years, a tank tends to corrode and then leak. Pay attention to leaks to avoid property damage.
Leaks in the tank can form due to a loose pipe, a faulty pressure relief valve, or from cracks and holes in the tank. Because the tank continuously expands and contracts as it heats and cools, the tank weakens over time. This fluctuation creates the small cracks and holes that allow water to escape.
In addition, older tanks get a build-up of sediment inside the tank. This makes your hot water heater less efficient and if excessive, takes up space that could be used for more water. In the city of Seattle, we are less prone to sediment build-up due to our soft water. However, some outlying areas have water with high mineral content and greater potential for sediment in the tank.
Lastly, your water tank may be overworked. If the water heater can’t keep up with your demand, it’s not going to last as long as one that can.
Lifetime Warranty
Call Raymark Plumbing and Sewer at 206-430-1954. One of our experienced techs will assess your hot water needs and make a recommendation based on the number in your household and the age of your current tank.
We provide pricing for a new tank, install earthquake straps, install an expansion tank if needed, and haul away your old tank. Also, we offer a new laser-welded electric water heater that is guaranteed “no-leak” for life.
Don’t wait for a leak or a malfunction to occur. Since hot water heaters are designed to last about ten years, it is usually more economical to replace an old tank rather than repair it.