Here’s How I Help Homeowners Decide
I get this question every week — sometimes every day:
“Should I fix it, or just replace the whole thing?”
And honestly? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
But after working on water heaters for over a decade, I can tell you how I help folks make the call — based on real numbers, real parts, and real headaches avoided.
So if you’re standing there, looking at a water heater that just groaned its last breath, here’s what you should know before pulling the trigger either way.
Start With the Age
The first thing I ask is:
How old is it?
- Under 6 years old? Almost always worth repairing
- 7–10 years? Case-by-case — depends on the issue
- Over 10? You’re rolling the dice
That’s not because 10 years is some magic death date.
But most tank heaters are built with a 6–12 year lifespan.
And once the rust starts creeping in, repairs become band-aids — not solutions.
What’s Actually Wrong With It?
This one matters a lot.
Repairs that usually are worth it:
- Bad thermocouple or ignitor: ~$100–200
- Pilot light won’t stay lit: quick fix
- Faulty thermostat: very fixable
- Leaking relief valve: minor part
- Sediment buildup: flush and clean
Repairs that usually aren’t:
- Tank leak (that’s fatal — replace)
- Rust around base or fittings
- Repeated error codes or system lockouts
- Burner chamber corrosion
- It’s your second repair in 12 months
If we open it up and see a cracked tank or rust trails? Game over.
But a dirty sensor or clogged vent? That’s an easy win.
Let’s Talk Dollars
Here’s how I break it down for people:
- Repair cost under $400 and unit is under 8 years? Fix it.
- Repair cost over $500 and unit is older than 10? Replace it.
- Anything in the middle? I’ll walk you through the pros and cons.
And I always show the customer the actual part, the issue, and what we’d need to do.
No guessing. No pressure. Just facts.
“But It’s Been Working Fine for Years…”
That’s what one customer told me — right before their tank split open and dumped 40 gallons into their laundry room.
Some heaters go 15 years. Some don’t make it past 6.
But what matters isn’t how long it’s worked — it’s how long it’ll keep working after the problem starts.
If your heater’s acting weird, making noise, or struggling to keep water hot — don’t ignore it.
Early fixes are cheaper and easier.
What We Do at Golden Valley Plumbing
We’re not in the business of replacing water heaters unless it really makes sense.
Our job is to give you the full picture:
- Age and condition of your unit
- Cost and effectiveness of the repair
- Honest advice about replacement options
- Clear pricing — no surprise add-ons
And if you decide to replace it?
We’ll install it, remove the old one, and handle permits if needed.
But if a simple repair will buy you 3 more years?
We’ll tell you that too.
Not sure if your water heater’s worth fixing?
Let Golden Valley Plumbing take a look.
We’ll help you make the call — no pressure, just truth.
Water heaters don’t last forever.
But they don’t have to surprise you, either.
We serve both residential and commercial properties in Sacramento and surrounding areas including Roseville, Rocklin, Elk Grove, Folsom, and more.
