One of the toughest parts about owning a big-ticket appliance is determining whether to repair or replace it when it starts developing problems. Owning a water heater is no different. If used and maintained correctly, a quality tank water heater can last you around ten years. However, there comes a point when a replacement will make more sense financially than hanging onto the one you’ve got.
If you’re not sure if you should replace your tank water heater yet, here are some signs that it’s time to start shopping.
What Causes a Hot Water Heater to Stop Working?
Age is not the only factor that determines whether or not your water heater needs to be replaced. Here are some things that cause your hot water heater to stop working:
Sediment build-up
Rust and corrosion
Loose fittings
Too high pressure
Water heaters have magnesium-style anode rods, which are intended to prevent rust and corrosion. However, once the anode no longer protects, rust will begin to corrode various metallic components within the heater and the entire unit can begin to leak.
1. Leaking From the Tank
There’s no going back from this one. A plumber can repair leaking valves, but once the tank itself starts to leak, you know that the inside has corroded so much that cracks and holes are starting to form. It’s best to replace the water heater before a major leak forms and floods your garage or utility closet.
2. Dirty, Rusty Water
This is another sign that the inside of your tank has corroded. You can try to replace the sacrificial anode rod to see if this improves the issue. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to get a new water heater before the current one starts leaking.
3. Visible Rust on the Tank
If you can see rust eating away at the tank itself, then you know the corrosion problem is severe. As mentioned above, it’s best to get a replacement to avoid a leak and water damage.
4. Less and Less Hot Water
If your water heater can’t keep up with your household’s hot water needs the way it used to, it might only need to be flushed. Sediment can build up over the heating element and decrease the unit’s efficiency. If flushing the tank doesn’t fix the problem, then it’s time to start shopping for a replacement.
Your water heater is one of the most important appliances in your entire home. You depend on it for everything from bathing to cleaning to cooking. Even your other appliances including your dishwasher and washing machine both depend on it. However, while your water heater may be important, it’s also one of the appliances in your home that is the most prone to wearing out and needing replacement. In fact, the average water heater generally lasts only around eight years before it needs to be replaced.
How do you know this time for replacement is coming up for you? The last thing you want is for a serious emergency to come up that forces you to go without hot water for any period of time. Also, you really don’t want to have the expense of a water heater replacement sneak up on you either. If you want to avoid both of these issues, you can simply keep an eye out for any of the common signs that you may need to replace your water heater. Here are five of these common signs that you may need a new water heater so you can avoid an emergency and keep your hot water supply stable.
Inconsistent or Fluctuating Water Temperatures
You’re enjoying a warm shower when suddenly out of nowhere the water turns stone-cold and then boiling hot then back to normal in a matter of about 3 seconds. This becomes a more common issue as a water heater ages due to the reduced ability to consistently feed water out at a constant pressure. Water heaters that have clogged or partially blocked output lines may also experience this problem. If you’re tired of random spurts of cold water and would like showers that are at one consistent temperature, consider having your water heater replaced.
Inexplicable Rising Energy Costs
Everyone dreads opening their energy bill each month, and this gets no better when an aging water heater is burning through a ton of extra energy for reasons you can’t really explain. If you find that your energy bills are much higher than normal and you can’t really figure out why your water heater could be the cause. Older or inefficient burners use far more gas than usual to get your water up to temperature. Electric water heaters with dying heating elements will struggle to get your water up to temperature and burn a ton of energy while trying. While in some cases these problems can be repaired, there may come a time when replacement is the best option.
Reduced Hot Water Capacity
Does it seem like you’re running out of hot water far faster than you normally would? This means you’ll run out faster and it’ll seem like your tank isn’t holding as much as it used to. Replacing your water heater entirely can solve this problem.
A Slow Drip Leak
Water heater leaks are not always big, obvious, and downright devastating. In fact, the vast majority of leaks start out small—really small.The longer you go without having a leaking tank replaced, the more danger your home could be in. Call a professional right away and have a new water heater installed.
Tank and Tankless Water Heater Replacements in Canton, GA.
Don’t hesitate to give us a call at (770)592-0081 or contact us online @ www.MyGeorgiaPlumber.com
