5 Signs You Need a New Water Heater

You might be amazed at how easy it is to lose track of your water heater’s age, or how hard it can be to notice a problem before it creates a big leak.

There are several signs that you can leverage to monitor the state of your water heater. You’ll want to be watching for them to keep your equipment in the best shape.

Here are five possible signs it may be time to replace your water heater in the U.S..

1. It’s Starting to Demonstrate Its Age

Just like the other essential appliances inside your house, your water heater has a clear lifetime. When it gets to the end, it will work much less efficiently and could be costlier to repair than replacing it.

The usual water heater life span is approximately six to eight years. You won’t want your water heater to be working for more than 10 years, because this can create costly damage in your house if it malfunctions.

It’s always possible for your water heater to run into issues before this time, so take note of anything that feels unusual.

2. Rust is Starting to Show

Rust is commonly a symptom your water heater needs to be checked. Rust is corrosive and could swiftly spread to other parts. This can cause a leak or other issues. If you see a bit on the tank or pipes, contact a licensed professional.

3. Not Enough Hot Water

If your water heater is straining to heat water, that’s an obvious sign an upgrade is needed. Your heater may not be able to provide any hot water because of too much sediment. The tank capacity could also be insufficient for the amount of water your home requires.

This is extremely true for larger households. The faster you run out of hot water, the more important it is to think over buying a new water heater.

4. You’re Hearing Strange Noises

Your water heater will make some noise. If you begin to notice banging noises coming from the tank on a routine basis, that could mean a component is loose.

Odd sounds can also indicate there’s debris building up inside the tank’s base. Too much buildup might make your water heater work harder and increase your energy bills as a result.

Listen carefully if you begin to hear any unusual noises, and give our team a call immediately.

5. Unexpected Leaks

If you notice puddles or dark areas near your water heater, it’s a wise time to evaluate installing a new unit as soon as possible.

These leaks are usually caused by slight cracks in the tank itself. The longer you disregard it, the more likely you’ll run into a crisis when the tank malfunctions. (You can stop a messy tank leak in the future by installing a tankless water heater, which doesn’t keep water.)

Water damage is expensive to fix and a nuisance you shouldn’t have to worry about.

If your water heater is on its way out, or in extreme need of expert repairs, reach out to the Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Experts at 866-397-3787. You could also set up an appointment by contacting us online.