Signs a Water Heater Needs Replaced

Many people have regular maintenance and the necessary repairs done on their water heater to extend its working life. Even with this care, a water heater will eventually need to be replaced. There are signs a water heater is no longer working properly. It is a time when repairs will no longer be the best option and installing a new water heater will be necessary.

Noise

An important indication that a water heater needs to be replaced is noise coming from the water tank when it operates, says the owner of Fixed Today Plumbing. As a water heater gets older, there could be rumbling noises that will start being heard from it. This noise will become increasingly louder as the water tank heats water. In most cases, this is the result of sediment buildup in the water tank.

Over the years, a water heater will heat and reheat water daily. This will cause sediment to form at the bottom of the water tank. In time, the sediment will become thick and then harden. This wears down a water heater and causes accelerated damage as well as inefficiency. It will eventually cause the water tank to leak and need to be replaced.

Rusty Heater Inlet Valve Or Rusty Water

One of the strongest materials in the world is steel, but its weakness is rust. Should corrosion develop on the surface of steel, it will slowly grow and go completely through steel at certain spots. Water tanks and pipes are made of steel. Certain signs indicate rust is quickly developing.

Rusty Inlet Valve

If rust is detected on the pressure-relief or water inlet valve or heater, there is a good chance rust has also taken over the inside of the water tank. When this happens, there is no option available other than replacing the water heater as soon as possible. Once rust takes over, there is no way to salvage a water heater.

Rusty Water

There could come a time when rust appears to run from the hot water faucets into a home’s bathtub or sinks. This is a strong indication that a homeowner has a rusty water heater. When a water heater ages past its expiration date, rusting will occur. This often happens with water heaters that are from eight to ten years old.

Leaking

When a water heater comes close to the end of its life expectancy, the chances of seeing water appear on the floor around the water tank increases significantly. Seeing water is a strong indication of a leak.

Depending on where a water heater is located inside a home, this type of leak could cause serious property damage. This often happens as the metal in the tank expands. Over time, a hot water tank will go through thousands of heating cycles. A fracture can occur and quickly become larger. When leaking is determined to be caused by a fracture in a water tank, it is time to have it replaced.

Hot Water Volume

A time can come when a home is not getting the same volume of hot water they have come to expect. If there is not a problem with the water heater’s thermostat or heating coil, it may be time to get a new water heater.

Heating Bills Increasing

A water heater accounts for a significant amount of heating energy used by a home. When a water heater starts to operate inefficiently, it could increase a home’s energy costs. A professional can examine a water heater and determine if it would cost more to repair or replace it.

Insufficient Water Tank Size

It is possible for someone to add an addition to their home and not take into consideration how it affects their water heater. This can also happen with more people live in a home than a water heater can handle. It is possible for these situations to result in an increase in the use of a water heater that exceeds the limits of its abilities. In this case, it could be time to get a new water heater that can meet the hot water demands of the current household.

When experiencing any of these signs, it is an indication of problems with a water heater. The first step in solving the problem may be to contact a professional and have them carefully inspect the unit. There could be a way to repair the water heater. A homeowner should realize, it could also mean repairing it is not an option, and they will need to replace their water heater.