When was the last time you said, “You know, I could really go for a freezing cold shower today?” Exactly. The answer is never. Hot water is an essential part of any civilized home. We use hot water to clean our homes, cook our meals, and as an aid to our health. Fortunately, this sudden lack of hot water is avoidable, if you can spot the tell-tale signs. Since 1989, Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has been taking care of the heating and cooling needs for the greater Atlanta area. Today, we’re going to share with you 4 signs it’s time to replace your water heater.
Your Hot Water Is Nearing the End of Its Life.
There will come a time when you’ll have to put your water heater out to pasture. Depending on how well you cared for and maintained your water heater, it will need to be replaced after 10 to 15 years of service.
Locate the sticker at the top of the water heater and find the serial number. The first two digits represent the year of manufacture. If that year is between 2004 and 2009 or older, it’s time to start thinking about getting a new water heater.
The Hot Water Temperature Is Dropping.
Have you cut your time in the shower in half because you run out of hot water long before you used to? This is a sign your water heater is old and starting its long walk down the green mile.
Here’s what happens: As your water heater gets older, more and more sediments build up in the tank. This buildup makes it more difficult for your heat source to heat the water. Then, as the sediments collect inside the unit, you lose volume, reducing the amount of hot water that can be produced.
Your Water Is Rust Colored.
If you notice that your water is tinted or rust-colored, your water heater may need to be replaced soon. However, you’ll want to make sure it’s your water heater and not your pipes causing the rust in the water. If you’re not seeing the color when running cold water, then that’s a good indication that the culprit is your water heater.
Water heaters come with a rod (cathodic anode) inside the unit. This rod needs to be inspected twice a year after your water heater reaches five years old. Very few people do this because of the difficulty involved. If you’re seeing rust and your water heater is less than 10 years old, you can replace this rod and extend the life of your water heater.
Your Unit Is Leaking Water.
If you begin to notice water around the base of your water heater, it may be an indication of a leak. As metal is heated, the kinetic energy of its molecules increases. This causes the molecules to vibrate and move more quickly as they struggle to maintain a greater separation.
This thermal expansion can cause stresses in the metal, which can lead to fractures inside the tank. These leaks will usually only be apparent when the water heater is on – because as it cools, the metal returns to its normal state and the leaks are sealed. If you notice leaks when the water heater is hot, then it’s probably time to replace your water heater.
While these signs will give you an indication of when to replace your water heater, they are not by any means comprehensive. If you want to know for sure that it’s time to replace your water heater, call the experts with Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, email us, or chat with a representative in the chatbox to schedule service today!
