Like many home appliances, people tend to ignore their water heaters until something goes wrong. While we usually assume that water heaters will provide an endless supply of hot water, eventually they need to be repaired or replaced. Whether you’re noticing leaks, hearing strange noises, smelling something unpleasant, or seeing rusty and colored water, hot water heater replacement is a necessity of home ownership.
If you have noticed one of the signs that your hot water heater needs to be replaced, you might be considering installing the new unit yourself. Some homeowners decide to purchase a new hot water heater from a home improvement store and attempt a DIY installation because they think it will save them money.
While this might seem like a great idea at first, there are a number of reasons that it’s best to hire a professional to handle the complex water heater installation process. Let’s examine a few of the reasons.
Potential for Explosion
It may seem hyperbolic to begin a list like this with the word “explosion,” but it’s not. Fires and explosions are a very real possibility when installing gas water heaters.
The gas that is used to heat the water is highly combustible. In addition, gas water heaters feature pilot lights that can cause the unit to explode if the water heater is not properly installed.
At best, you may find yourself in need of emergency hot water heater repair. However, the consequences could be even worse. It’s important to call in an experienced professional to install your new water heater.
Carbon Monoxide Leaks and Dangers
Gas water heaters have the potential to create carbon monoxide. This incredibly dangerous gas is both colorless and odorless. This makes it very difficult to detect carbon monoxide leaks without access to specialized instruments.
During the installation process, it is crucial to properly vent the space in which the new water heater is being installed. Calling a water heater installation professional will ensure that the appropriate safety measures are in place.
A plumbing specialist will have tools to detect and fix any potentially dangerous carbon monoxide leaks. This will decrease the likelihood that you will need any emergency hot water heater repair services in the future.
Miscellaneous Safety Concerns
Beyond the concerns discussed above, hot water heaters are complicated systems that involve many potential dangers. Some systems contain large amounts of very hot water that can cause burns and other physical damage if it comes into contact with your skin. A professional plumber can discuss the benefits of tankless options with you.
When installing a water heater yourself, you will also have to deal with various pipes and electrical wiring. In the case of an accident or mishap, you may need to call an emergency plumber. If this happens, it will cost you even more time and money. Calling plumbing professionals from the outset greatly decreases the likelihood of accidents during the installation process.
Required Codes and Permits
In many cases, installing or replacing a water heater requires some amount of regulatory oversight in the form of permits and licensing. Under North Carolina state law, installing a water heater in some types of structures requires proper certification. So, if you need someone to install a water heater in Charlotte, NC, it’s important to find a qualified professional.
Beyond the potential legal requirements, a skilled water heater installation specialist will have the experience to ensure that your new water heater adheres to all safety codes and regulations. Installing a water heater to code is very important in order to keep you and your family safe, as well as to keep your new water heater working properly.
Save Time and Have Hot Water Fast
You may be planning to replace your water heater because you found a great deal on a new one. Alternatively, your old water heater may have stopped working at the most inopportune time, and now you are in need of an emergency plumber. Either way, reaching out to a professional is the best way to ensure that your water heater installation is done correctly the first time.
Even if you avoid all the potential safety hazards in a DIY installation, attempting to install a hot water heater without the proper skills and experience can be a frustrating and prolonged process. Your home will be without hot water throughout the installation process, which means you want to get the installation completed as quickly as possible.
An experienced professional will make sure that your water heater is installed safely and quickly on the first attempt.
Professional Installation Saves You Money
Aside from wanting to have your new hot water heater operating as quickly and efficiently as possible, hiring a plumbing professional will save you money. This may seem counterintuitive since we’re led to believe that the DIY approach is always the most cost effective.
But water heater installation requires a specific set of specialized machines, tools, and instruments. Finding and purchasing all the tools that are needed to properly and safely install a hot water heater will cost you much more than hiring a certified plumbing professional.
Buying specialized tools is not cost effective unless you are planning on installing numerous hot water heaters. As a private homeowner, it is unlikely that you will need to replace your water heater very often.
Also, mistakes during a DIY installation can be costly. Misusing specialized pieces or specific tools may require further investments of time and money on your part. Not only is it more convenient to hire a water heater installation specialist, it’s cheaper too.
Professional Installation and Water Heater Repair in Charlotte, NC
If you are in North Carolina and are in need of a qualified water heater installation, reach out to the professionals at Superior Plumbing and Drains, LLC. Our friendly and knowledgeable specialists are available for installations, general plumbing needs, and expert water heater repair in Charlotte, NC. Call us at (704) 289-6858 if you live in the Monroe/Charlotte area or (704) 813-2888 if you live in the Gaston area or contact us online today!
