How old is your water heater?  Are you running on borrowed time?  If your gas fired water heater is more than 7 years old, it could leak at any time, regardless of the length of the warranty.  Electric heaters usually last longer, but cost more to operate.     

  Are you constantly running out of hot water?  As gas fired heaters get older, they usually become less fuel efficient due to a build up of sediment on the bottom of the tank.  This can also happen to electric heaters when the sediment level gets so high that the lower heating element is submerged in sediment.  When this happens, the lower element can't heat the water correctly.  Sometimes flushing the heater out can remove the sediment.  Keep in mind that flushing out an older heater can sometimes lead to a leaking heater.     

Do you have a water softener?   While water softeners can be a great benefit, they usually shorten the life of a water heater.  It might be a good idea to plan on replacing the water heater every 5 to 6 years to avoid flood damage due to a leaking heater.

  Do you have a finished basement?   Keep in mind that every water heater will eventually leak.  If you have a finished basement, the heater will leak on your nice carpet or parquet floor.  It's a good idea to replace a water heater before it leaks, to avoid the mess that comes with a failed heater.  Another option is to install a pan under the heater to catch leaking water. It is also much cleaner to move a dry heater which hasn't leaked because it won't be dripping rusty mud all over the floor as it is being moved across the basement and up the stairs.

At Aquamedic, we can handle any problems you might have with your water heater.  We are available for service, repairs, or replacement of your water heater. Call 478-6702 or contact us for an estimate or service call.