By Alex Joy
Every home needs a water heater. Without one, you wouldn’t have hot water in your shower or sink. You wouldn’t run the dishwasher or washing machine, either. In fact, without a water heater, your home would be pretty uncomfortable. Water heaters have a life expectancy of about ten years. So, if your water heater is more than ten years old, it may need a replacement. Other times, your water heater can break down due to other factors.
This article will look at tell-tale signs that it’s time to replace your water heater. Read on to learn.
- It’s not producing enough hot water
If you notice that your water heater isn’t producing enough hot water or has become too scalding hot, this indicates a problem. If the tank is completely empty, it may need to be refilled. If the temperature control is set too low, you may need to turn up the thermostat.
If neither of those fixes solves the problem, you may have a faulty heating element or thermostat. It’s best to call a professional plumbing service to handle any problems with your water heater’s heating elements.
- Problems with the filter
If your water heater is faulty, one of the first signs to look out for is problems with the water heater filter. This can include the filter being clogged with sand and sediment, or it can mean that the anode rod has become corroded.
- Noises
Another sign that you need a new water heater is when you hear unusual sounds coming from the system. Sometimes, these noises could simply mean that there are sediments stuck at the bottom of the tank, which causes loud banging sounds when the burner turns on. However, if these noises persist even after flushing out the sediment, chances are there’s something else wrong with the system.
- The relief valve is leaking or discharging frequently
The pressure and temperature relief valve are designed to open to relieve water pressure if the water heater ever exceeds safe limits. This can happen due to a faulty temperature and pressure relief valve. It also might occur if something is wrong with your thermostat or dip tube, which we won’t get into here.
You’ll know there’s a problem when you see water around the base of your water heater. This can be from a slow drip over time or from the valve discharging a large amount of water because it has reached its limit. Either way, you need to get it repaired as soon as possible.
- It’s rusted and corroded inside the tank
If you notice rust and corrosion on the inside of your water heater’s tank, this is a sign that there is a problem with your water heater. It could be because of the anode rod, which works to protect the steel of your water heater from rusting and corroding by attracting corrosive elements in your water.
However, it does wear out over time and will need to be replaced. In some cases, it may even have rusted away completely. If this happens, your steel tank will then rust and corrode until it develops a small hole or leak. In other cases, if your anode rod doesn’t have enough magnesium in it, the steel tank won’t get protected from corrosive elements like chlorine in the water supply.
Finally, the water heater is one of the most critical appliances in your home. It gives you hot showers, clean dishes and warm towels. But if you don’t maintain it properly, the water heater can become a ticking time bomb, leaking toxic waste into your house. If you notice any problem with your water heater, contact a skilled technician right away.
