Sometimes we take things for granted, and it’s only when they go wrong that we fully realize. It could be a relationship or our health. It’s true for our household items too; we may assume that things like water heaters will work forever until they develop an issue.
Perhaps you are experiencing this problem right now. You may or may not have regularly had it maintained and serviced. Sometimes a specialist is able to come and resolve the issue but at others, it’s time for a replacement. We will now discuss six possible signs that it’s time to start shopping for a new one.
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Too Many Repairs
It’s one thing to call out a technician or plumber every few years, but another when the issues are more frequent. At this stage you need to decide which is most cost-effective:
- Regularly paying for someone to give the appliance a temporary stay of execution, or
- Starting again with a new model.
When people experience issues with their homes, they rarely occur during the daytime. It can be expensive to keep calling specialists out of hours, using their emergency services. Some helpful guidance is fortunately available on the internet. According to Think Thank Home many people seek free advice on troubleshooting their water heaters and unclogging drain valves. They also want to access heater sizing tools and to receive guidance on purchasing replacements.
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Leaks
A plumber should be called as soon as these manifest, as you could risk having damp, mildew and mold in the surrounding area. Drips often get worse, in which case you could end up with flooding and water damage. That’s not something anyone wants to discover when they return from vacation!
Electricity and water don’t go well together, which provides an extra concern. This is why you should regularly check for puddles and damp areas around the pipes. There could be anything from failing water connections to pinhole leaks and faulty pressure relief valves.
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Lukewarm Or Cold Water
It could be that your family has grown bigger than the capacity of your water tank. If the heater has to work harder it won’t last as long. If the water isn’t hot enough, ensure the thermostat is set to between 120 and 140 degrees.
The possible causes could be anything from worn heating elements or components to mineral buildups inside the tank.
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Weird Noises
The water heater should be quiet as it operates, so anything else could be a cause for concern. This may include cracks, bangs, pops, pounding, crackling, or rumbling sounds. Once again, mineral accumulation could be the cause. Alternatively, there could be poor water flow or issues with condensation or the heating element.
If there is sediment this will harden every time the water gets hot, and it can crack the tank. Ultimately this could generate water leaks.
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Rusty Water
It’s true that a plumber can come and drain your tank to get rid of any sediment, but sadly they can’t get rid of rust. There may be corrosion affecting the galvanized metal. No one wants to have discolored water when they are washing their plates, cups, or clothes. They won’t want to bathe or shower in it, either. A telltale sign would be a line of rust around the bath.
It may be that your unit is rusting from the inside out. If the anode has not been replaced this could certainly be the case. The only good news would be if the cold water was discolored as well. This would mean the issue lies with your water supplier, and perhaps maintenance is being done locally.
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Too Costly To Run
It’s one thing if you live alone and are always away on business trips or holidays. For most people, their water tank will be in daily demand. Many families increase in size over the years, too. Modern appliances are designed to operate more efficiently and to reduce peoples’ fuel bills. If this is an issue you must address, consider a tankless water heater because it’s almost totally efficient.
If your tank is over ten years old it may have passed its ‘use by’ date. Check for stickers or serial numbers to find out. Alternatively, look for receipts or invoices. Whilst a plumber’s help can prove invaluable, there will come a time when the only viable option is to buy a new model. Whilst this will require an extra financial investment, it could save you money over the coming years. Once it’s been installed, be sure to maintain and service it regularly so you reap the maximum benefit.
