There is no better feeling on a cold, wintry morning (or evening) than drawing a hot water bath and unwinding after a day’s worth of hard work (not debatable). So imagine the disaster of being met with a cold stream of water as you run the tap!
Maybe your roommate took a long shower and exhausted all the hot water. Or maybe, your water heater is exhausted and is about to break down entirely. Although cold water can be a cue about your water heater’s bad condition, there are other signs you must look out for. This article will walk you through some of these signs.
These indicators will help you decide if you should replace your water heater or if it will last for a little longer.
Contents
1. Age of the Water Heater
If your water heater is not serving its purpose efficiently, you may want to rack your shelves for the invoice if you cannot recall the date of purchase. Typically, every piece of equipment comes with an expiration date and for a water heater, it is usually 10 to 15 years, after which it stops performing at its optimum level.
The usage of the water heater also plays a role in determining its lifespan. In case you have a lot of people living at your place and water is used abundantly, the water heater may reach its end sooner. So if you have been using it for over ten years and its performance has been deteriorating, it is time to get a new one!
2. It’s Leaking
If you walk into your bathroom and find that there is water dripping from your water heater, you must be alarmed regardless of the size of the pool below. Though this may seem like an insignificant issue, it can lead to bigger problems at a later stage, if it’s not replaced immediately. In the worst-case scenario, leaving a leaking water heater for a long period may result in a flood.
3. It’s Making Strange Noises
It is normal for a water heater to make a little noise every once in a while. But if your appliance creates a cacophony regularly, you are staring at an actual problem. It is an indicator that there is an excessive mineral build-up internally.
In other words, with time, your water heater gathers sand and other particles and gradually, there is a solidification of the minerals present in the tank, which causes all the noises.
Furthermore, the formation of these deposits makes your water heater brittle and also reduces its performance in terms of the pace of the heating.
4. You’re Experiencing Cloudy, Rust Colored Water
There is no need to tell you that rust-coloured water is not a good sign. Aside from the fact that it will taste terrible, it could also have detrimental health effects. This change in colour could be the direct result of sedimentation in your water tank.
Not only will the sediment decay your water tank and discolour your water, but it will also cause leakage. Fortunately, this is a treatable problem. All you have to do is drain all the water out of your water heater on a biannual basis (at the very least). This step will prevent the excess build-up of sediment.
5. You Don’t Have Hot Water at All
If your water heater is not giving out hot water, you may not be dealing with as big a problem. This typically happens due to two reasons.
One possible cause could be that your pilot light has switched off. If you follow the guidelines from your manual, you can solve this problem very easily. A more serious reason could be that your water heater has stopped functioning completely, in which case, you will need to purchase a new water heater.
If the water heater is warming up your water but not completely heating it, your heating element may be the culprit here. Ensure that your thermostat is set at 120 degrees, below which, water cannot be heated to a high temperature.
6. The Water Tastes and Smells Weird
If your water tastes or smells metallic, get a new water heater immediately. This usually happens as your water heater begins to break down with age and can have harmful effects on your health.
The metallic taste comes from metallic flakes that strip themselves off from the system and settle down at the bottom of the tank. If you continue to drink water even then, you may end up drinking those flakes.
7. You’re Always Having Someone Come Out to Do Repairs
If you always find your house with a repairman messing around with your water heater, especially if this happens every month, you need to purchase a new one.
If this happens twice or thrice a month, it is obvious that there will be more issues which are possibly worse, headed your way in the near future. Investing in a new water heater will save you some money in the long-term.
Choosing a New Water Heater?
If you realized that you need to buy a new water heater, it is time to make a decision on which one to buy. It is a good idea to consult a professional and seek their advice.
Their recommendations on the size and the type of water heater will be based on your usage pattern.
Noticing The Cues Your Hot Water Heater is Deteriorating So You Can Get it Replaced
In case your water heater does not demonstrate any of the aforementioned signs but greets you with a cold shock during your morning shower, it is time to find a replacement. Needless to say, this is not the only sign to purchase a new one.
If your water heater displays any of the other signs, summon a water heater repair plumber and install a new piece before it begins to affect your health in any way.
If you are looking to buy a water heater, feel free to get in touch with us and we will intimate you about our services along with an estimate.
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