When Is It Time To Replace That Water Heater?

Being shocked back to reality with ice cold water can be a bad end to that hot shower. To make sure your experience isn’t ruined by this, here are some ways to identify signs of the retirement on your good ol’ water heater.

Goodbyes can be hard but if your water heater breaks down it can potentially cause you thousands of dollars in damage, not to mention be a threat to the safety of your family and furniture. So it can really pay off to know some signs and keeping an eye out for red flags with your water heater.

Brown Water

This is a flaming red flag for your appliance as brown water can indicate a severe issue that points to replacement: Corrosion.

If your water heater has started to rust then it isn’t long before there is a leak and there is severe damage possible to your home and belongings. The smell and taste of the water being metallic can also indicate corrosion.

However, if your water heater has an anode to prevent rusting and you don’t remember the last time it was replaced, then the taste may just be it corroding.

In this case, a simple replacement and inspection by a professional should be enough.

Age is not just a number

Regular water heaters are meant to last up to 10 years but this doesn’t mean they will. If your water heater is about 5-7 years old then frequent repairs can be a cause for alarm. After some time, even frequent maintenance and replacing anode rods cannot stop the inevitable. It may be time to replace it with a shinier model preferably a tank-less water heater because they can last up to 20 years.

Leakage

This is a problem to not be ignored at all. If your water heater is leaking, this means it is dangerously close to bursting. This can indicate the life of inner tank has reached its end. If your water heater is run on electricity, switch it off and shut off the water source before calling in a professional.

Inadequate Heating

This can be due to a broken heating element or a problem with the thermostat and easily rectifiable. However, the most innocent issue can be a smaller size than you need.

This means that the demands for hot water in your household are more than what your water heater can provide in which case it may be time to look for another.

Rusty Pipes

Rusty pipes and valves can indicate corrosion on the inside but this can also simply mean a problem of pipes themselves. If this is the case, then the tank must be replaced as soon as possible to prevent water leaks.

Noise

Indoor appliances making noise is never a good sign. For an electric water heater, this can be especially worse because rumbling sounds can indicate sediment buildup which can accelerate damage and lower efficiency of the water heater. If flushing doesn’t work and this is a frequent problem, it may be time for a replacement.

We can Help

Get in touch with us for water heater replacement and repair services and other plumbing repair services Palm Beach County. We can give expert advice on choosing the right water heater for your needs.