Signs That a New Water Heater Is Needed
Water heaters usually end up being a perfect storm for homeowners. Most last just long enough that the sting of losing the old one and the cost of installing a new one have been forgotten. The false sense of security can make homeowners forget that trouble lurks around the corner. Luckily, most water heaters show signs that they are about to fail.
If homeowners can spot these signs, they can have a little extra time to plan for water heater replacement instead of making hasty decisions. Here are some signs that water heater replacement will likely be needed shortly.
Signs of Corrosion
The base metals that make up plumbing and water heaters are at odds with each other. In every case, water accelerates the corrosion of steel, iron, and copper. To protect water heaters and the nearby plumbing from corrosion, water heaters have a few safeguards. But, over time, these measures will fail and leave the water heater vulnerable to corrosion. When corrosion gets bad enough:
- Leaks can form
- Water bills can rise
- Sediment can form at the bottom of the water heater
- Water will become discolored and smelly
- Visible corrosion will form on pipe fittings
- Anode rods will be completely degraded
The bad news is once these signs are apparent, it is likely that water heater repairs won’t be enough to fix the problem. The good news is that owners will likely have a week or two to decide on a new water heater, so homeowners have a fresh start.
Loss of Hot Water
The second sign that a water heater replacement may be necessary is likely the one that most people will notice first. It seems everyone forgets about the water heater until they are stuck running out of hot water during a shower. If this situation recurs, it could be a sign that a new water heater is needed.
Water heaters are rated by their capacity and ability to provide hot water once the tank is depleted. If the total volume of hot water seems low, it is probably because the tank has lost efficiency and heating power. A new water heater is the best bet to restore the lost volume of hot water.
Old Age or Poor Reliability
A water tank is expected to last about ten years, while some tankless models may last up to 20 years. Once the units reach this age, repairs will become necessary more frequently. At some point, it makes more sense to replace the water heater instead of paying high repair bills that are guaranteed to get worse.
If a water heater is nearing this age range and repair bills are starting to mount, water heater replacement will be necessary sooner rather than later. However, this advanced warning can give owners time to plan and save for a more reliable and higher-efficiency unit.
About All Clear Plumbing
All Clear Plumbing handles water heaters and plumbing repairs for homes and businesses. Their teams consistently outperform their customers’ expectations when performing plumbing and HVAC services. Call today for water heater service in Belleville, NJ.
