Water heaters are a crucial asset to every modern home. No one wants to be left with a costly repair OR, even worse, without hot water during the winter season. Knowing the signs of when it’s time to replace your water heater can save you a major headache!
Age of Your Water Heater
Nothing lasts forever, and that holds true for your water heater! If your heater is 10 years or older, you may want to consider replacing it. With proper maintenance, a tank water heater can last six to 12 years. However, a tankless water heater can last up to 20 years! Although the initial installation is a larger investment, you will end up saving money from the efficiency of your tankless system over time.
Strange Noises
If your water heater begins to make strange noises, it’s probably time to replace it! Unusual noises are an indicator of aging and built-up sediment at the bottom of your tank. As water is heated, the sediment hardens at the bottom. As a result, you may hear banging or rumbling noises coming from your water heater.
Rusty Water
If your water heater is producing rusty water, you should consider replacing it. The combination of water and metal is the perfect duo for erosion, especially if your anode rod has exhausted its life span. Another cause of rusty water is a buildup of sediment. When this sediment gets stirred up from water being heated, it can be pushed out. However, this isn’t always the case. If rust-colored water is still produced from a cold water source, the problem isn’t your water heater. It can be a simple disturbance in the public water supply!
Frequent Leaks
If you begin to see water leaking around your water heater, you will want to call a professional immediately! This is a sign that there may be a leak in your tank that must be handled immediately. Fractures develop over time from your heater’s metal tank expanding and contracting from heating up. Unfortunately, with fractures comes the risk of a bursting tank. A burst water heater can cause extensive damage to your home and your plumbing system.
Limited Hot Water
The most telling sign you might want to consider replacing your water heater is the lack of hot water itself. If you realize you have little to no hot water, it may be time to replace your heater. First, check the thermostat of your water heater to ensure that it didn’t get turned down. If this isn’t the case, it could be the heating element within your tank. Electric water heaters have a coil that can go bad and no longer heat the water. Gas-powered heaters have a burner that can also go bad if not properly maintained. A broken dip tube is another potential cause of running out of hot water. The dip tube is responsible for pushing cold water to the bottom of the tank to be heated. When this tube becomes damaged, the cold water sits on top of the tank, causing the overall temperature of your home’s water source to lower.
Schedule Water Heater Replacement Today
All of these are signs that it may be time to replace your water heater. If you decide to replace your water heater before the temperatures drop, consider going tankless! Tankless water heaters provide an endless supply of hot water for your home. They also are smaller in scale than a traditional water heater and can fit in different areas of your home.
Let our team deliver you the difference of a tankless water heater. Call (864)-202-4076 to schedule an appointment with our team today!
