There's nothing better than a nice, relaxing, hot shower. But what happens when that hot water doesn't stay hot for very long anymore, and that relaxing shower is now an ice bath? It might be time to chuck your old hot water tank and invest in a new one!
Water heaters have a typically long life-span at around 8 to 12 years. Still, those who move into an older home may only get to experience a working water heater for a couple of years before issues crop up. So what do you do when you need a new hot water tank?
First, you need to figure out which model you're going to be getting - which will more than likely be the same kind you already have, just new. Hot water tanks come in gas or electric and vary in size. Size is an essential factor in getting the most out of your water heater. Nothing is worse than someone using all the hot water cleaning dishes for dinner while you're in the middle of a hot shower, only to get pelted with ice-cold droplets. For a typical four-person family who uses two showers, their hot water tank's size should be at least 65 gallons. The bigger the tank, the higher the cost is to maintain all that water, so make sure to pay extra attention to the big yellow sticker on your choice tank. This will give you insight into how much you will be paying out annually to run that size tank.
To remove your old hot water tank, you will either need to turn off the gas using the cut-off valve or unplug it. After shutting it off, the next step is to drain all the water left in the tank. To do this, you will need to shut off the water supply and then turn on every hot water faucet in the home. You may need to use the hose from outside to ensure the tank is completely emptied. To remove the tank itself it will require cutting the line or connection with water heater hoses. It's not recommended to cut any lines in the plumbing. If you are not familiar with this job type, it's best kept to a professional not to rupture any pipework. If these things are easily disconnected, it is still recommended to help you move the tank itself because of its heavyweight.
Putting in the new hot water tank is relatively simple but still requires quite a bit of strength and knowledge of what lines go where. It consists of placing the tank where you want it - typically in the same spot as the old one and reconnecting hoses. While this is going on, it's essential to ensure that all the hot water faucets are still turned on when you turn back on the water supply. Let this run for at least a minute, making sure no air is trapped in the lines, and then once you're finished with the wiring, turn on the power and let the water in the tank heat up.
Now you can get back to enjoying a long, hot shower without the fear of being rushed out by cold water! Kost Plumbing can help with any hot water issues, either with repairs or helping you get the right unit for your home; contact us today!