4 Major Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Water Heater
Discover the 4 major signs that indicate it’s time to replace your water heater and avoid unexpected breakdowns or inefficient heating.
Your family enjoys many things from your water heater, including hot water for dishwashing, showering, laundry, and cleaning. However, no one thinks of the water heater until it stops working and the hot water supply is cut off. If you’ve used your water heater for a long time, chances are it’s approaching its full life cycle and may stop serving you soon. You don’t have to wait until an old unit stops working completely to take action. Here are four major signs that your long-serving water heater is due for replacement.
Your Water Heater Is Past its Lifespan
Whether you’re using a tank or tankless water heater, they have a limited lifespan that, once exceeded, will cause them to malfunction. Although many water heaters will last upwards of between 10 and 15 years, they’re not intended for use past that period. Tank water heaters always achieve an average of eight to 12 years, depending on model and level of maintenance. Their tankless counterparts can last around 15 years with proper care and maintenance.
If your tank has served past its lifespan, it will start to experience issues that need repair and may not be as effective as it initially was. You can have it replaced as soon as possible because repairs at this stage may not be as effective as when done earlier in its lifespan.
Rusty or Discolored Water
One of the visible signs that your water heater system is experiencing serious problems is when you start noticing discolored or rusty water coming from your hot water taps. Rusty or discolored water indicates your water heater has suffered degradation on the inside, and depending on how long this has been going on, the damage could be beyond repair.
Inspections often reveal corroded internal parts that can be too expensive to repair, hence the need to replace the entire system. When left unattended for a long time, your water heater may develop leaks, leading to bigger problems such as water damage to your home.
High Energy Bills
An aging water heater will take more time to heat a small amount of water, and this depreciated efficiency leads to higher energy bills. If you notice increasing energy bills without a significant increase in hot water usage, it’s time to replace your water heater with a more efficient one. However, check other appliances in your home before concluding that your water heater is causing a spike in energy bills, especially if your water heater isn’t too old.
Water Puddles or Moisture Around the Unit
Water heaters are made to perfectly conceal water inside with minimal or no possibility of the water leaking out. This means anytime you notice water outside the tank, there’s a bigger problem inside that needs immediate addressing. The leaks and moisture could be signs of a failing tank, mostly corroded with weak spots for leaks.
It’s best to schedule a professional inspection to ascertain the extent of damage. Replacing the unit can be the most effective way to solve the problem and avert significant water damage soon.
Effective water heater use can lead to decades of uninterrupted water heating solutions. However, you can experience problems earlier than expected, and the only way out is to replace the problematic unit. Always ensure you claim your warranty if your unit exhibits problems within the warranty period so you can save money on new replacements.
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