Your water heater is arguably one of the most vital appliances in your home. Your family depends on this unit daily for several things, including hot showers, laundry, washing hands, dishwashing, and cleaning. If a problem arises, it becomes inconvenient for your entire household.
While you would want your water heater to last for several years, this isn’t possible. Although you can prolong the life of your unit through professional maintenance, at some point, you’ll have to replace it. This piece will explore the tell-tale signs that show it’s time to replace your water heater.
1. Unit Makes Strange Noises
As your water heater ages, you may notice rumbling or banging noises getting louder as the unit heats up the water. These noises could indicate a problem with your unit that needs urgent attention. The strange noises can result from sediment buildup at the bottom of your equipment. With time, the sediments get thicker, making the water heater less efficient because it’s harder for the unit to run. In homes with high demand for hot water, the strain can cause excess wear of the encasement and may eventually cause leaks.
Call our professionals immediately when you hear an unusual noise from your unit. We can flush your tank to expel the sediment at the bottom to prevent damage and extend the unit’s life. However, if you still hear rumbling or creaking sounds after flushing, you need to replace your water heater soon.
2. Water Heater Is Old
Your water heater cannot last forever. Most of these units are built to serve you for an average of 10 years. But, if you have a new model and regularly maintain your appliance, you can use it past this timeframe. However, after using your water heater for about eight to ten years, you can expect to notice signs of deterioration. You can fix a few problems with the help of an experienced professional, but many of the issues will worsen over time.
If your water heater is too old, you are better off replacing it. Trying to prolong its lifespan will cost you more money in repairs. Also, there will be a significant decrease in efficiency as the unit ages. In case you are still unsure whether it’s time to replace your old unit, call our team for inspection to advise on the best solution.
3. Inadequate or No Hot Water
One of the most obvious signs that it’s time to replace your water heater is when you are not getting hot water in your house. Water may never heat up while washing your hands or the dishes. Maybe the hot water isn’t sufficient for all your family members, or it turns cold within minutes of taking a hot shower. In some worse cases, you may have rising heating costs and inadequate hot water.
A misadjusted thermostat or a broken heating element are possible causes for this problem. The right thermostat setting can restore your water heater. Also, our plumbers can restore your unit’s heating functions. However, the parts needed to fix a broken element in older units may be unavailable, so you may have to replace the entire water heater. Also, in cases where the tank is too small for your house, especially for larger families, you need a new unit.
4. Water Leaks From the Unit
Water should always remain inside your unit’s tank. In case you notice water pooling around the tank, this is an issue that needs immediate attention from a professional. Depending on the humidity level of your home’s location, some condensation around the bottom of the tank shouldn’t raise any concerns. But if there is active leaking or puddles of water around the floor, your unit is probably nearing the end of its life span. If ignored, the leaks could lead to property damage. You may have a wet carpet, furniture, walls, and mold growth.
Water heater leaks can result from inner body expansion due to countless heating cycles. This may lead to fractures as the metal expands, which opens up for water to start leaking. Sometimes, a professional can recommend fixing minor leaks caused by loose connections. But in most cases, the most effective solution is to install a new water heater. Make sure you call our professionals to determine if the leak is a connection or water tank issue.
5. Rusty or Cloudy Water
Although the inside of most water heater tanks is made of stainless steel, it cannot remain in similar conditions forever. With time, it starts to corrode, and the unit produces cloudy or rusty water. This is due to rust in the tank getting into the water supply leading to discolored water coming out of your appliances and faucets. Unfortunately, you cannot tell if the rust comes from the pipes leading to different faucets or the unit itself.
When this happens, call our professional plumbers to diagnose the problem and determine the best solution. If we run cold water for a few minutes and the water remains rusty, the problem is within the pipes. But if the water isn’t rusty, there is corrosion in your unit, and you’ll need to replace your water heater as soon as possible. Also, if we spot rust around the pressure relief or water inlet valve, it means corrosion has taken hold inside the tank’s surface. Again, the only solution is to install a new water heater to avoid more problems.
6. Too Many Repairs
Generally, your water heater needs regular maintenance and repairs to run correctly. Also, if there is a high demand for hot water, your unit may need more repairs because it’s in constant use. However, if you find yourself calling a plumber to repair your water heater on multiple occasions, replacing it may be more worthwhile.
You don’t have to keep sinking your money into a unit that needs repeated repairs to remain functional. This is another possible sign that your appliance is nearing the end of its useful life, and constant repairs can result in more issues down the track. Installing a new water heater will eliminate the high repair costs. Also, depending on the water heater you purchase, you’ll save more on electricity bills because of high-efficiency levels.
Call Today for Quality Water Heater Replacement
If you have noticed any of the above signs, it may be time to replace your water heater. You should also hire a plumber from Bardi, Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing for an assessment and professional opinion on the best solution. Our skilled plumbers are highly knowledgeable about water heaters, so you can rely on our expertise to recommend the most suitable option. We’ll take time to diagnose the issue and explain why we have narrowed it down to one solution.
Bardi, Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing is a family-run company that always works towards offering every customer 100% satisfaction. Since 1989, we have consistently provided reliable services and have received more than 700 five-star reviews from our customers and a certification from the BBB. Whenever you call us, we respond on time and handle every task seriously, no matter how small the issue may seem. We provide water treatment, AC repair, air purification, AC maintenance, insulation, heating repair, duct cleaning, AC installation, pipe replacement, heating maintenance, and sewer repair services in Norcross, GA.
