Like any other electromechanical appliance, your water heater is not designed to last forever. In fact, the average lifespan of a residential water heater ranges between 10 and 15 years. As your water heater approaches the end of its life, it will start developing problems that could make it unreliable and more expensive to run. Therefore, it won’t be too hard to know when the right time to replace your water heater comes. However, no matter how much you enjoy getting your hands dirty at home, this is not a job you should consider doing on your own unless you are a professional plumbing contractor. This is because installing a water heater can be more complex and dangerous than you will read in online guides. Therefore, you should instead find a plumbing company licensed to offer professional water heater replacement services. Professionals handle water heaters almost daily, and they know what needs to be done to ensure that the job is done correctly and safely. Here is a rundown of the reasons we believe trying to replace your water heater on your own is not a worthy endeavor.
You Might Choose the Wrong Appliance
Every successful water heater replacement project begins with choosing the right water heater to invest in. The market for water heaters is flooded with options, and unless you properly understand what you need, you might end up getting your choice wrong, which could be extremely expensive. The good news is that you can dodge such a problem by simply choosing to work with a professional water heater replacement expert from the word go. A professional will assess your home’s current and future demand for hot water and advise you on the right capacity of a replacement water heater to go for. Besides, since they deal with water heaters every day, they fully understand the quality of various water heater brands and models, meaning they will advise you on the best kind of water heater to invest in, depending on your budget, needs, and personal preferences. In a nutshell, a good plumbing contractor will help you pick the most appropriate water heater for your home.
You Might Void the Warranty
The water heater is perhaps one of the priciest appliances in your house. Therefore, when you buy a replacement water heater, there is a good chance you will get a warranty for the product. The warranty is meant to assure you that you are investing in a high-quality product. Indeed with the warranty, you will be entitled to free repairs or even replacement should your new water heater develop a serious problem within the time provided in the warranty document. However, it is important to note that the validity of your warranty is not without conditions. For instance, for your water heater’s warranty to remain valid, you might be required to ensure that the water heater replacement is handled by a licensed plumbing contractor. If this is the case, choosing to try DIY water heater replacement could effectively void your warranty. This means that if you choose to install your new water heater on your own, you might void the warranty and lose the privileges it affords you.
You Could Get Hurt
A DIY water heater replacement job can put you at risk of sustaining serious physical injuries. For instance, the job might involve handling electrical components that could potentially expose you to the risk of electrical shocks and electrocution. Besides, if you get the job wrong, your water heater could expose you and your family to more risks. The good news is that you can avoid such risks by simply hiring a professional plumbing contractor to help you replace your water heater. Professional water heater replacement experts handle such assignments almost every day, and they know what needs to be done to get the job done without injuring themselves or putting other people in danger. Therefore, by hiring a professional to install your replacement water heater. You can rest assured that no one will get hurt in the process. Besides, if your plumber sustains some injury while working in your house, you will not have to worry about the financial burden of their injuries since their insurance will take care of them.
You Might Not Save Money
A lot of homeowners who resort to DIY water heater installation hope to save some money in the end. Unfortunately, this usually does not happen in reality. In fact, trying to install your water heater on your own could end up costing you more than what it would cost you to hire a professional water heater replacement expert. For instance, without the right skills and tools for the job, you might end up damaging the appliance, which would force you to spend more money repairing your new water heater. Besides, choosing to install your water heater on your own, you might void your warranty, meaning that the manufacturer may refuse to repair or replace the appliance for free if it breaks down soon. On the other hand, by hiring a professional water heater replacement expert to help you with installing your replacement water heater, you can rest assured that the appliance will be handled in a way that will not cause any damage. Besides, your warranty will remain valid, meaning that you will save money on possible future repairs. Therefore, instead of wasting your time and money on a job you may not even do right, it makes sense to involve a professional from the word go.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, if you want to replace your old water heater for whatever reason, you need to ensure that the job is done by a qualified professional. If you are looking for a reliable plumbing contractor to help you in this regard, Clarksburg Plumbing is your best bet. Feel free to get in touch with us today to learn more about our company and services.
See our most recent blog on this topic here.
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