5 Signs You Might Need To Replace Your Broken Water Heater
As you know, we all depend on warm running water for everything from cooking to bathing. Warm running water is crucial to everyday living, and so is our water heater. That’s why keeping a close on our water heater is essential to ensure it’s operating correctly.
Why You Need To Maintain Your Water Heater
Regarding our water heater, we learned the hard way about proper maintenance. And the signs of pending doom when our water heater decided to call it quits. Luckily, when knew better for round two of our broken water heater and caught the issues just in time.
Since living in our home for 17 years, we have had two water heater replacements. We had no idea of the tell-tail signs of its impending departure the first time it required replacing. Unfortunately, we suffered the consequences and had no hot water for days before the replacement arrived.
By the time the second one required replacing, we knew what to look for and prevented suffering the consequences of not having hot water. We knew the water heater displayed signs of failure and immediately called for assistance. Furthermore, we also saved money on the replacement because we had time to shop around. And we have a home appliance protection plan which helped cover 90% of the cost.
Depending on how frequently you use your water heater and its age, at some point, you will need a heater repair Ashburn. And if repairs are out of the question, you might need a replacement.
Below are some of the signs that indicate whether or not you’ll need broken water heater replacement:
1 – Rusty And Dirty Water
If the hot water is rusty, your water heater is probably rusting on the inside, which could result in leakage. Obviously, if you notice rust in your hot water, the chances are good you need a replacement.
However, a way to prevent this is to add zinc, aluminum, or magnesium anode rod to the water heater. In this case, the bigger the anode rod, the better for maximum protection. If you’ve considered using two, make sure that you use rods made of the same kind of metal to not react chemically with one another; this may cause more wear.
If the water still looks muddy, has a metallic taste, or looks dirty, you must get a new water heater immediately and contact a plumber to help you. When our unit broke down, our water showed signs of a muddy color beforehand. Always observe and ensure the color of your water remains crisp and clear.
2 – An Old Unit
If you don’t know how old your unit is, you’ll find its exact age by checking the serial number printed on the manufacturer label. Usually, the first two numbers represent the year, but brands may vary. So, it’s a good idea to check for more information online through the manufacturer’s website.
If you find out that your water heater is over a decade old, it’s time to start looking for a replacement as soon as possible. More so, with models this old, there’s a more significant risk of water damage, mildew, and mold.
Typically, a water heater over ten years old tends to break down, especially without proper maintenance. More importantly, our unit broke down, and we didn’t maintain it as we should have. And it can happen at a moment’s notice. Your system can break down overnight and it’s a good idea to know what to do in case it does. For example, you’ll always want to call in the pros for water heater repair Toronto to address the issues right away.
3 – Leaks From Your Water Heater
As your tank heats, it expands, which may result in leaks that could damage your utility closet or basement. While leaking might seem like a nuisance, it indicates a much more severe problem.
Before replacing your water heater, see that there aren’t any leaks coming from the connections or fittings. You must also check the pressure overflow pipes for leaks. Once you find a leak, have the tank replaced by experienced professionals.
Additionally, water heater leaks can be a source of health issues as well. Any wet, damp, or moldy areas can affect your health. Typically, when a leak starts, it doesn’t magically resolve itself. While you can repair some leaks, it makes sense to call for maintenance immediately.
4 – Rumbling Or Banging Noise
If your unit is old, there could be a buildup of sediments on the tank’s bottom. As such, sediments reheat continuously, and they harden. And this results in a higher capacity of the water heater and wasting energy.
If this happens, you may hear rumbling or banging from the water heater. In this case, it may cost you less, in the long run, to have the water heater replaced instead of repaired.
5 – Lukewarm Water
If you feel lukewarm water, look at your unit to know whether the temperature settings have changed. You could adjust the temperature if the settings changed to low or vacation mode. That was an easy fix!
Other than that, you should check the temperature outside your house. Sometimes when it’s low, the water that comes into your tank will be extra cold. If you’re using lots of hot water, your tank might take time to warm up due to how cold the weather has become.
You’re probably fine if you don’t think the settings or the outside temperature are to blame for lukewarm water. However, if not, then the cause could be something more substantial. Standard electric water heaters use two elements to heat the water inside the tank. If one of these elements is out, it’ll result in lukewarm water.
On the other hand, gas water heaters work using a burner to heat the water, and lukewarm water might signal that your burner isn’t working correctly. If you think there’s a problem with the burner or your water heater’s elements, you should consider reaching out to professionals who know about replacing a water heater.
Water Heater Conclusion
No matter how well you take care of your unit, you can’t always guarantee that you will operate the way you want. That’s why you should always be aware of the above signs and know when to replace your water heater to avoid paying for unnecessary repairs.
Just make sure to ask for help from professionals before finding a water heater replacement; if you don’t need one and it’ll only cost you more, then there’s no sense in wasting the money.
How Much House Can I Afford? Facts You Need To Know
One of the first questions every potential homeowner asks is how much house can I afford, and rightfully so! Making sure you get the right answers is equally as important.
Don’t Forget To Pin Your Inspiration!
