Like any other home appliance, water heaters don’t last forever. One day you might be shocked to step into a cold shower, signaling that your water heater has reached the end of its life. For many homeowners, they would rather wait until their heater dies before replacing it. Some prefer to see the early signs and replace it before it breaks down altogether. Water heater technologies have come a long way over the last ten years. You may want to consider checking out the latest in both storage tank and tankless technologies before making a quick purchase. Knowing the signs that your heater is on its way out will give you a head start in your search for your next heater.
#1 – My Water Heater Is Old
The life expectancy of a water heater is between 10 and 15 years. If your heater is older than that, or you don’t know how old it is, you may want to consider replacing it, especially if it has not had annual maintenance. New heaters with the latest technologies can save homeowners as much as 30% in energy costs over heaters purchased just ten years ago.
#2 – I Don’t Have Hot Water
The most obvious sign of a broken water heater is it stopped producing hot water. It’s possible that you’ve lost power to the heater or the pilot light is out in your gas heaters. A homeowner is capable of lighting the pilot light by following the instructions on the water heater. No hot water can stem from a faulty heating element to a broken thermostat. In most cases, your plumbing expert can repair your heater, but it does show signs that your heater is aging.
#3 – My Water Heater Is Giving Warm Water But Not Hot Water
Most homeowners don’t know that their water heater needs annual maintenance. The average do-it-yourselfer can maintain their own heater by draining the sediment caused by hard water. Some manufactures require it as part of the warranty. The sediment settles at the bottom of the storage tank, causing your heater to work harder and shortening the life of your heating element. It also causes the heating process to lose its efficiency leaving your water lukewarm.
#4 – My Water Heater’s Storage Tank Is Rusted
If your water heater has a rusted storage tank, then it’s time to replace your heater before you have bigger problems such as flooding. When you can see visible rust on the bottom of the tank, it could mean that the rust has completely eroded through the metal lining. When you see rust localized to the top of the storage tank, chances are you have a water leak. Either way, you need to have your heater replaced.
#5 – My Water Heater Is Noisy
Knocking noises is also something caused by sediment at the bottom of your heater. The deposits settle at the bottom of the tank, and as the heating element heats the tank, it creates a force that leads to steam bubbles that rise when the tank is heated. The bubbles become trapped, creating all sorts of sounds. It’s a sure sign that your water heater is old and may soon need replacing.
#6 – I See Rust In My Water
If you have water coming from your tap that is reddish-brown, it might be because of rust built up in the storage tank—the cause is iron in our water supply. Discolored water usually doesn’t happen overnight so when you see the first sign, have your plumbing technician locate the rust. If the problem is coming from the tank, you can contribute it to a failed anode rod in your tank. The anode rod is responsible for attracting corrosive particles, including iron, before attacking the water heater’s wall. If the anode rod no longer works, then the iron is free to create rust.
#7 – My Water Heater Is Leaking
A leaking water heater is never a good sign, especially if your heater old. On the other hand, if your heater still has a lot more life in it and it has not reached that critical age, then it may be something minor such as a drain valve or temperature & pressure relief valve (T&P valve). If your water storage tank is leaking, replace your heater ASAP.
#8 – I’ve Had It Repaired Several Times Now
At some point, it doesn’t make sense to continue repairing an old water heater. Since it needs replacing soon rather than later anyway, it’s probably not a good idea to continue pouring money into an old heater. Replacing your water heater doesn’t have to be a huge hassle. An upgrade to a new appliance can improve your quality of life. Start enjoying your new water heater today. It comes complete with the latest technologies. You’ll start saving money and energy from the moment you have it installed, and Big B’s Plumbing offers 0% financing for one year. Call today and will give you the value and service you deserve. License #986152
