You may need a new water heater if it is leaking. If your unit is over 10 years old, it is likely that minerals in the water corroded the steel in the water heater causing the leak. A water heater technician can evaluate your problem to see if a simple fix is in order, or if total replacement is necessary.
If you need a complete replacement, consider having your water heater’s installation done by a professional. This is a big job requiring a bit of knowledge. Gas water heaters work on a gas pilot light ignition while electric heaters have electric heating elements. With a gas water heater, the technician will first turn off the gas with an adjustable wrench. They will check to make sure the pilot light burns out which indicates the gas is off. Then they will turn off the pilot light switch. Next, they will turn off the cold water intake valve and empty the water from the water heater into the drain pan below. Turning off the water at the main would be a good idea at this point. Using a pipe wrench, they will remove the gas line from the water heater then the cold and hot water pipes. To prepare for the new water heater, the technician will wrap Teflon tape around the end of the gas and water pipes that connect to the water heater to create a seal. Then they will connect the gas and water pipes. New fittings may need to be put on the pipes which will need to be soldered. After connecting the gas and water pipes, turn on the main water supply, then the cold water intake valve. Then they will open the gas shut off valve and turn on the pilot light switch. Then light the pilot light and set the temperature. The heater will now be ready to use.
With an electric water heaters installation, this will require an electrician to work with the electrical connections. Both types of water heaters are a bit difficult and dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. That is why you should consider calling in a professional like Acker and Sons Inc. Your local water heater installation company will know how to get the job done right, and get your hot water running again in no time!
