Many homeowners rely on water heaters to warm water in the house for bathing and washing dishes. A malfunctioning water heater would cause a great inconvenience for your household. Therefore, you should identify the signs that you need a new water heater to have a technician replace the old one in time. Discover some telltale signs that you need to replace your water heater.
Age
Water heaters, like other appliances in your home, wear out. According to Consumer Reports
, tankless water heaters can last for over 20 years, whereas gas water heaters can go for 10 years. You should keep track of your water heater's age so you can replace it when the time comes.
Some of the things that impact your water heater's lifespan include the model of the heater and the location of the heater. Although regular maintenance can prolong the lifespan of your heater, eventually you'll have to replace it. Look out for signs of aging, and notify a technician immediately.
Lack of Hot Water
If your water heater no longer heats water, you need to replace it. Sometimes, water heating takes longer than usual. Insufficient or lack of hot water may be because of the heater's thermostat settings. Adjusting these settings can resolve the issue.
The pilot light can also cause your water heater to malfunction. Call a technician to check the circuit breaker to determine whether the unit has power. If neither the thermostat settings nor the pilot light is the problem, your technician will recommend a new water heater.
Leaking Water Tank
A leaking water tank can cause water damage. Any sign of moisture or leakage can mean your water heater is failing. You need to replace a leaking water tank as soon as possible to prevent expensive repairs due to water damage.
The regular heating of the metal on your water tank can lead to leaking. This happens because the heated metal expands and creates cracks in the tank. As a result, water seeps out of the tank and causes damage to walls, floors, and other areas of your home.
In some cases, the leaks can come from connections, overflow pipes, and fittings. These issues are repairable, but if the damage is to the tank, you need to consult a technician for a new water heater.
Weird Noises
You shouldn't hear creaks, clangs, and groans from your water heater. If you experience these weird noises, you should report them to a technician. Clanging may arise from a buildup of sediment inside the water heater tank.
Water heaters become less efficient when sediment is in the water tank. This is because it continually heats up the sediment, which makes the tank more fragile. The sediment bangs around or touches the heating element causing these noises. Replacing the water heater can help resolve this problem.
Rusty Water
Rust can form inside your water heater. If you don't address the rust in your water tank, this can cause leaking. The first sign that your water tank has rust is the water's color coming out of your faucets. You'll notice rusty-colored water when you run hot water.
Sometimes, the rust comes from the pipes. A water heater technician will drain the water from the water heater to determine whether the rust is inside the water tank or from the pipes. If it's inside the water tank, the technician may recommend installing a new water heater.
One of the common household issues is a malfunctioning water heater. While minor repairs can fix some problems, some cases need a new water heater. Express Electrical Services have years of experience in water heater repairs and installations. If you've experienced problems with your water heater, give us a call
for assistance.
