What should I do to stay within warranty on my water heater?
Unless you want to pay out of pocket to replace your water heater, don’t void your warranty by making these common mistakes.
Warranties tend to have a great deal of “fine print” that nobody enjoys spending the time to read. However, in that fine print, there is important information about mistakes that will void your water heater warranty. What are some of these common mistakes made by homeowners?
1. Installing the water heater yourself.
Even if you consider yourself a skilled handyman, installing your own water heater to save the cost of a plumber may end up costing you more money in the long run. Several water heater companies require your heater to be installed by a certified plumber in order to maintain its warranty. Additionally, there may be specific components or parts that are required to bring your specific heater into compliance with your city’s plumbing codes. These codes may include expansion tanks, mixing valves, check valves, drain pans, TRP termination, valves, dielectric unions, venting, electrical wires and breakers. Having a certified plumber install your water heater will give you peace of mind and allow you to keep the manufacturer’s warranty valid.
Several warranties require that you have proof of regular maintenance for your water heater. Some people may try to skip the annual check ups in order to save a few dollars, but if the heater were to stop working, you may find yourself paying out of pocket to replace it. Water heaters require annual maintenance in order to avoid corrosion and sediment build up. These check ups also ensure that your water temperature and pressure is accurate according to local codes. Having a licensed plumber perform annual maintenance on your water heater will save you a great deal of money down the road.
2. Non-compliance with local plumbing codes.
Whether you decide to install the water heater yourself, or you call a plumber who does not have a lot of experience in Arizona, it may be difficult to understand all the plumbing codes that homeowners are required to follow. If a heater is installed incorrectly, or fails to comply with every code, your manufacturer warranty may be void. Certified plumbers, especially with years of local experience, will ensure that your water heater is compliant with all current plumbing codes for your specific area. The saying “you pay for what you get” applies here; just because you find a cheaper price when price comparing does not mean you are going to get that same service from every company. Cure All Plumbing provides free in-home estimates. Have us come to your home and you will see the difference in our product knowledge and attention to detail.
3. Modifying or altering components by yourself.
It may be tempting to play around with some of the components on your water heater if your water temperature seems to be going up or down. However, this may potentially damage your heater, unless the issues are properly diagnosed and repaired. Watching YouTube and attempting to become an expert in less than a few minutes is not recommended on such a large investment. If your water heater stops working due to an issue with the way the components were set or adjusted, then your heater’s warranty becomes void, and the manufacturer will not cover the cost of repair. Whenever your heater appears to be malfunctioning, always call a certified plumber to properly investigate and fix the problem.
Whenever you find that your water heater is not working properly, call Cure All Plumbing immediately, and we will send out one of our certified technicians to properly diagnose and repair it for you. The technician will also check to make sure that your heater is compliant with all the local plumbing codes. This ensures that your family and appliances are safe and extends the longevity of the water heater. Water heaters are a large and expensive investment to your home, and Cure All Plumbing wants to obtain the longest lifespan from your unit.
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See a list of common water heater manufacturers and a link to their water heater warranties below for your reference: