For most of us, hot water is an essential part of life. From safe hand-washing to showers, laundry, dishes and more, the average American turns on warm or hot water as many as 20 times a day. When you consider yourself and the other members of your household, thatโs an enormous strain on your water heater.
Every water heater will eventually fail, and here are 5 sure signs yours will soon need replacing:
- 1 Itโs old. While water heaters donโt have an expiration date on them, most last only 8 to 10 years. That means that you will need a new water heater once a decade even if you donโt notice anything wrong with it. If your water heater runs on natural gas, the lifespan is shorter, so you could need a new unit after just 6 to 8 years. If you donโt know how old yours is, you may be able to look up the age based on the serial number.
- 2 You notice rust in the water or on the heater inlet valve. Sure, steel is strong, but it rusts. Corrosion then spreads, eating through the steel in many cases. When your water tanks and pipes are made of this material, rust means leaks are present or soon will be. Rust in your water can also be from pipes rather than from the water heater, so everything must be checked.
- 3 There are weird noises coming from your water heater. Noise is a telltale sign of something wrong with a water heater. As one of these appliance ages, rumblings may be louder and louder. It is most often caused by sediment buildup, which can sometimes be partially resolved by draining the tank โ if there are no other problems. Rumbling often means its time for a new unit, however.
- 4 You notice leaking from the water heater. As a water heater reaches the end of its life, you may notice water on the floor near it. Depending on how your appliance is situated, this leaking could cause major damage to your home. In fact, there is no more serious problem with an aging water heater than a leak โ because it can do so much property damage. When this happens, youโll need more than just a water heater; youโll need a contractor to make repairs for you โ and thatโs costly.
- 5 It doesnโt work. Eventually, every water heater will stop working โ leaving you unable to take a hot shower, sanitize your dishes or fully enjoy your home. Even washing your hands is less effective without hot water. Once an old unit fails, itโs unlikely it can be repaired, and itโs often most feasible to replace it with a modern unit, which will be more energy-efficient anyway. Youโll be surprised how much you can save on your utility bills with a new water heater.
If youโre experiencing one of these issues or have other concerns about your water heater, turn to us. We can show you options in traditional and tankless water heaters and allow you to make a smart decision that will serve you and your family well. But donโt wait. Once you notice a problem, things wonโt get better on their own.