What Does Water Heater Replacement Entail?

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You rely on your water heater to provide you with hot water throughout your house. Unfortunately, you may begin to notice problems with your water heater after several years. Water heaters typically last for 12 years, according to Lowes. If your hot water has a strong odor, if it looks murky, or if it's tinted brown or grey, that usually indicates a problem with your water heater. You can choose to have your water heater repaired, but if it's nearing the end of its lifespan, you may want to replace it instead. Here are the steps you should take when you're ready to replace your water heater:

1. Decide if you want a water heater with a larger tank

A water heater's tank determines how much hot water it can hold at any given time. If you've found yourself frequently running out of water over the years, this is a good opportunity to upgrade your water heater by purchasing one with a bigger tank. If you've had children, gotten married, or otherwise expanded your household, that's another reason you may want a larger tank.

2. Purchase your new water heater

You'll need to purchase your water heater so it will be available when you're ready to have it installed. Some heating contractors will procure a hot water heater for you for an additional fee. Purchasing a heater through your contractor can save you the time and effort of hauling it into your house on your own.

3. Make an appointment with a heating contractor

A heating contractor can unhook your old water heater and replace it with the new one, without causing any unfortunate mishaps. They will first drain the tank of your old water heater, so water won't spill while it's uninstalled and moved. Next, they will use the water shutoff valve to turn off water flow to the water heater, in order to prevent flooding. They will disconnect the water lines and if your water heater is gas-powered, they will also disconnect the gas line. You should leave this task to a contractor since incorrectly uninstalling a gas line may lead to a dangerous gas leak in your house. Once your old water heater has been removed, the new one can be installed in its place.

4. Test your water heater

Before you do anything else, you should test your new water heater to make sure it's running properly. Some heating contractors will even take care of this step for you, checking their work before they leave your house. You may want to test the hot water in multiple areas of your home, including the kitchen and bathroom, to ensure everything works as it should.

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