How Much

I know prices vary wildly but just want a rough idea.

Labor and parts to replace thermocouple on water heater?

Labor and parts to replace gas control valve on water heater? (Old heater 20+yr.)

 

I know thermocouples are very cheap, about $10, labor would vary but I would suspect anywhere from $80-120 per hour. Gas valves would likely be $75-$125 depending on brand.

* Not a water heater pro and just shooting from the hip.

 

In most cases I'd be replacing the whole water heater instead of trying to fix it since it's that old.
Your on borrowed time.
Cheaper then having to deal with aftermath of a flood.

 

I think TI's material prices are real close, and his hourly rates would be typical around here. Not a pro here either, but, just to give you an idea, the last thermocouple I replaced was for a buddy, Christmas Eve last year or the year before, and it didn't take much over an hour including a trip to the hardware store for the new one. And I don't remember a valve taking too much longer. So, depending on if you can diagnose it yourself or know someone who can, a thermocouple might be worth it, but if it's the valve I tend to agree with Joe as far as replacing the whole unit.

 

I haven't had a gas water heater in about 50 yrs but I did have one with a bad thermocoupler. What I did [because of lack of money] was take it off about once a month and sand it until it was shiny which made it work like new for a month or so.

 

Bingo! Plumber didn't even charge me. Probably first time it was cleaned since '96.

 

20 years plus? Get a new heater. You're just throwing good money after bad.

 

Cleaning is only a limited solution. As a rule...... thermocouples don't get cleaned. If cleaning it fixed a problem then it's either on the edge of its life and weak or the pilot flame is not large enough.

 

I installed my unit in 1995, you really have me thinking now. Maybe it's time I got busy and started thinking seriously about installing the new 3 year old Bradford-White I have sitting in the basement.

 

And you've already wasted 3 years worth of warranty. If you buy it, use it.

 

I was thinking just the opposite, since the warranty no longer really comes into play, I'd let the 'new' water heater sit until it was needed ...... but then the cheapskate in me likes to get every dollar's worth out of what I buy

 

And if by chance there is a problem with the "new" unit, what then? It happens. And this begs the question why a new tank was bought?

I have a current HW tank 18 plus yearsand I know it needs replacement. Since it's not actually leaking, I'm sort of playing a game as to just how long I can go before I have to replace. But I'll buy when that replacement is needed, not B4. The store I work at had a brand new unit selling for half price (about $250.00). Almost pulled the trigger. But glad I did not.

 

Yea...well, the tank warranty is only 6 years anyway and it'll last well past 20 years. I am not worried. I'll get around to it one of these days.



I bought it just before the new efficiency standards were to go into effect. At the time is was speculated that most gas heaters would be required to have electronic ignition to meet those new standards and I wanted a standing pilot. And I need a thermal expansion tank too, that is also waiting on me.

 

Wouldn't the warrantee start at the time of installation? I bet you could argue the point.

 

It would if it was professionally installed and supplied by the installer. I doubt a diyer would get by with the date of installation.

 

That depends on how well you know the distributor.