When your water heater stops working properly, you need to take action as soon as possible to prevent a potentially disastrous situation. Before taking on any water heater installation project, you should consider all the options available and evaluate what’s most important to you. In many cases, simply reading about water heater installation is enough to help you make the right decision.
If you’re dealing with an older gas or electric water heater, you likely have a few options with pros. The first thing that you may need to consider is if you want a tankless unit or a tank model. Tankless units provide instant hot water, so there’s no waiting for hot water to heat up. However, they require more attention in terms of maintenance. If you’re going from electric to gas, you may also need to consult an expert to make sure you get all the right connections.
If you’re going with tankless water heaters, you have a couple of different options that are often discussed regarding water heater installation. First, you can go with a small portable unit that you can carry around the house. Small versions of these available are very affordable, but you shouldn’t have trouble fitting one into any standard-sized home. Of course, the biggest hassle will be getting water supply to the unit – which is another matter.
If you choose to install a tankless water heater in a smaller home, you should still hire professionals to complete the job. You don’t want to damage the plumbing in your home by attempting the job yourself. There are different techniques for attaching the new water heater to the existing plumbing, and you must understand them. Professionals can also help you deal with any water damage issues that may arise once the new unit is in place.
If you decide to install a tankless water heater on your own, you’ll need some basic tools. Since most people are used to dealing with these units, you should have little difficulty installing one. Since most of them run off household electricity, you’ll need to make sure the power is turned off before beginning the work. Before you do, check to see if the power is turned off in your home. If not, call a plumber to fix the problem. He may be able to install the wiring for the new water heater installation without having to come to your home.
You’ll want to do before installing a water heater to read through the manual or checklist before instructions. These items are included with your tankless unit, but you may want to double-check. It’s also a good idea to enlist the help of a friend or family member who’s more knowledgeable about home improvement. It might also be a good idea to consult with a plumber if you feel that you aren’t skilled enough to handle the job. Regardless of who handles the installation, though, you’ll need to get all of the components ready before you begin.
For many water heaters, the tank is the most difficult component to install. This is why your local building codes are so important. Many older buildings can’t be repaired or modified to pass local building codes if you’re installing them in an older home. In these cases, the only option may be to install a tankless unit. Although the installation is much simpler, this isn’t always the case for newer homes.
When you’re shopping for water heaters, you should always remember that quality is essential. It would be best if you didn’t necessarily assume that a lower price is automatically a better product. However, for the most part, checking with your local building codes and using common sense when it comes to your water heater installation will ensure that you get a product that provides you with years of low maintenance and reliability.