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Warning Signs that You Need a New Water Heater

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Melbourne Plumber

If you have an older hot water heater in your home, it’s possible that you’ll need to replace it soon. It’s important to get a new hot water heater put in your home before you run into any serious issues with it, and here are the most common signs that your time for replacement is approaching quickly.

Banging or Creaking

An old water heater will bang and creak when it operates. This is because the sediment that has collected at the bottom of the tank is burnt off when it contacts the heating element in the heater. This creates loud noises that don’t sound very pleasant. If you notice your heater making strange noises, it’s likely that it has a problem that must be taken care of.

Rust Water

Rust is a serious issue that most hot water heaters suffer from eventually. If you notice that you have rust colored hot water in your home, it’s likely that your heater is rusting out. This means that you could see problems with leaking soon, and who wants to bathe in rust anyway? If you notice rust, the end is near and you should be shopping for a new hot water heater.

Old Age

Once your hot water heater is past 10 years in age, it’s time to seriously think about getting a replacement. That’s because these units are only expected to last a decade on average, and once you pass that point, your odds of running into a major problem down the road go up considerably. If you have an older water heater that’s over a decade in age, you should start thinking about getting a replacement instead.

Leaking

Any signs of leaking are pretty clear signs that the water heater needs to be replaced. If you notice that water is leaking from the heater in any spot, you should seriously think about getting a new one, especially if the water heater is close to 10 years in age or older. Keep an eye on the heater and get a new one at the first signs of leaking.

Inconsistent Heat

Over time the heat elements that keep water hot in your water heater will stop functioning properly. They won’t deliver water as hot as it once was, and you’ll run into issues with water that is too cold or too hot, but usually too cold. When this becomes a serious problem don’t just turn up the heat setting on the heater, start shopping for a new hot water heater because your old one is failing.

With such an important piece of equipment it makes sense to really watch for signs of developing problems. If you notice that the hot water heater is exhibiting any of these problem signs, you should start looking at new heaters and get a plumber in there to make the replacement as soon as possible.