A homeowner struggling to keep their gas water heater lit faced a costly decision: repair the appliance or replace it altogether.
Here's what to know
After a rusted flue prompted a service visit, a Reddit user wondered whether the eight-year-old heater needed replacing. First, the water was way too hot after a plumber recapped the flue, and then the pilot light shut off. They hoped it was simply a matter of getting it lit properly.
"What're the odds that it actually just needs to be lit and set at the proper (lower) temp?" they asked in r/askaplumber.
However, the technician later advised them to buy a new heater because the temperature gauge was no good, with repair parts at around $300 before labor.
More background
One commenter asked whether anyone had addressed debris from the damaged vent.
"Did anyone pull and clean the burner assembly? Did they clean the air intakes while they were at it? It's not hard to imagine where all the debris from the vent went," they asked.
According to the OP, the technician had cleaned the vent, but that didn't change their assessment. Another emphasized that "any failure of a vent component requires an inspection of the entire flue, from burner to roof vent cap," before the heater can be ruled a dud.
What can be done?
For homeowners who ultimately need a replacement, upgrading to a heat pump water heater, like Cala, can help lower energy bills.
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Cala offers smart heat pump water heaters that heat water exactly when you need it.
Another perk of replacing a heater on its last legs is limiting recurring maintenance fees.
"If push comes to shove buy a new water heater instead for paying for a lot of service calls," one commenter advised.
Where can I learn more?
Other homeowners have also had to weigh repairs against replacing their water heaters.
• A village-ordered vent repair brought a $1,600 quote before a plumber pushed a $5,000 replacement.
• A homeowner's two-year-old gas heater kept shutting off before a warranty helpline flagged venting problems.
• A plumber spotted a tankless heater vent shortcut, while Reddit commenters flagged a condensate issue.
• A professionally installed water heater corroded within a month, and Reddit commenters identified a missing part.
• In Australia, a homeowner with a 2002 gas heater received warnings that plumbers may push replacement.
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