7 Signs Your Water Heater Needs to Be Replaced
Having hot water in your home is a necessity for cooking, cleaning, and bathing. To have reliable hot water in your taps, you must invest in a quality water heater. Since most water heaters have a long lifespan, it is easy to install one and forget all about it. Many homeowners will only remember to get their water heating systems replaced when they notice insufficient hot water flowing through their taps. Water heaters do not fail in a day, meaning there will be signs your unit is nearing the end of its service life. Knowing what to look out for can help you plan a replacement before it breaks down completely. Here are some common signs that a new water heater installation is on the horizon.
1. No Hot Water From Your Taps
One of the obvious signs that your water heater might be having an issue is cold water flowing from your taps. If you realize that there are times when your water won’t heat adequately, then you have a problem. Another warning sign is when your hot water turns cold quickly. Insufficient or no hot water can occur due to a wrongly adjusted thermostat or defective heating element. If adjusting the thermostat doesn’t solve the problem, you might be dealing with a faulty heating element.
In many cases, reigniting the unit’s heating element might solve the problem. However, if it keeps going out or fails to reignite, a plumber can inspect the unit and fix the defective component. If you are still experiencing insufficient hot water, it might be time to get your water heater replaced.
2. Rusty Water
Another sign that your heater needs to be replaced is rusty water flowing through your taps. As your heater’s storage tank ages, sediment and mineral deposits will accumulate. The good news is that flushing your tank can help eliminate most of the mineral buildup. However, the longer the water heating system remains in operation, the more buildup it will experience.
Visible rust or dirt indicates a deteriorating tank’s condition. It’s also a sign that water may be creeping into some areas of the heating system it shouldn’t, like inside the heater. This can eventually lead to corrosion or premature tank failure.
If you notice rusty water, contact a plumber immediately to inspect the water heater and determine the cause. Flushing the tank can enhance your water’s quality, but it’s often temporary and may not be effective if your storage tank has significant mineral buildup. Therefore, a new water heater installation will be the best option.
3. Loud Heater Noises
Most modern heaters work with a silent hum. Unless you listen keenly, you will not even hear it run. If you notice loud noises, like clangs and bangs, get your water heater checked. These noises are often caused by sediment that comes from hard water. Sediment can cause a strain on your system and eventually lead to high energy bills. Also, it might damage the rest of the plumbing, leading to leaks that can damage your residential property.
To avoid the accumulation of sediment in your heater, ensure that your water heater gets flushed yearly. If you live in an area with hard water, you might need to flush your heater more than once a year. If you still hear the loud noises immediately after flushing your heater, your tank is probably compromised, and replacing your heater is the best option.
4. Water Heater Leaks
Water heaters are designed to be leakproof. Water leaks from your heater can be dangerous since elements must be kept dry. If you notice a leak or pools of water around your water heater, turn it off and contact a plumber immediately. These professionals can assess the heater damage and figure out how to fix it. However, if your heater keeps leaking even after repairs, replacing it is the best option.
5. Regular Repairs
A good water heating unit doesn’t need frequent repairs. Often, all you need to do is schedule annual maintenance. If you notice that you need to call a plumber every other month, it might be time for you to replace your heater. Replacing the heater will save you money in the long run and also ensure that you have an appliance you can safely use in your home.
6. Running Out of Hot Water
If you have been living in the same house since you started your family, chances are you have more people added to your home. You might have a tank that’s too small to meet your hot water demands. If your tank is too small, you won’t have enough hot water for showering and completing daily chores. In this case, you need to replace the water heating system with a unit that will meet your household’s hot water needs and usage demands.
7. Your Water Heater Is Old
Even though water heaters have a longer service life than most household appliances, they don’t run forever. No matter how often you carry out maintenance and how much care you give your heater, there will be a time when the heater gets too old to function properly. If you have had your heater for 10 years or more, it is a sign that you need to replace it.
Most quality heaters will serve you for up to 12 years. If your water heating unit is nearing the end of its service life, it might not work as efficiently as it did when it was relatively new. Consequently, you may notice skyrocketing energy bills and less comfortable showers. If your home has an old water heater, talk to a plumber about it to know whether it needs minor repairs or a complete replacement.
Some water heating units may last beyond their expected lifespans with routine maintenance. However, they become less efficient with time. A new installation might be costly, but it comes with power-saving benefits and other upgraded features. For instance, the newer models on the market are easy to use and provide hot water on demand, so you do not have to wait as long for your shower water to heat up.
Talk to the Plumbing Experts Now!
A constant supply of hot water is vital in modern homes. You need water with varying degrees of warmth to shower and complete ordinary household tasks. Therefore, when your water heating unit fails, you must solve the problem immediately to keep your household comfortable and running smoothly. If you’re experiencing issues with your water heater, contact our experts at Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. Our team of experienced plumbers can identify and fix all plumbing problems, including hot water system repairs and new water heater installations.
Apart from plumbing, we also offer heating, air quality, maintenance plans, and air conditioning services throughout Norcross, GA and the surrounding areas. Contact Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today for reliable water heater services, and we will gladly serve you!
