Your home’s water heater is the unsung hero of your household. Just think about how many times you use hot water on a daily basis. You rely on it for a hot shower in the morning, when cooking and cleaning, and to wash your clothes, hands, and dishes.
Although your water heater may seem infallible, just like with any home system, it’s subject to wear and tear and will need to be replaced at some point during its lifespan. It’s important to know the signs that your water heater is struggling and may need to be replaced soon. You don’t want to be without hot water for even a day! Let’s review the signs that you may need a water heater replacement.
The heater is at the end of its estimated lifespan.
Do you know how old your hot water heater is? If you’ve owned your home for a decade and it was installed when you purchased your home, you don’t have any idea how old it is. You can find its age by looking at the tank to find the manufacturer information which should include the date it was manufactured.
Once you know how old your water heater is, you should also know that the average storage tank water heater should last 10-15 years. Tankless water heaters can last for 15-20 years. If your water heater is at the tail end or past these lifespans, it’s important to know that your water heater’s performance is likely going to decline soon if it hasn’t already.
There’s a decrease in the amount of hot water it supplies.
This is the #1 sign that a water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan. Your water heater shouldn’t struggle to deliver hot water to everyone during the day, especially if it had no issues doing so before. When your family members are experiencing lukewarm or even cold showers, it’s a sign of a dying water heater.
You can see rusty discoloration in your hot water.
Reddish-brown water coming from the hot water taps is a red flag. Check if the discoloration is only occurring when the hot water is on and if it’s affecting all the hot water taps. If it’s both, then it possibly means the interior of the water heater tank has corroded and rusted through. There’s no way to repair this level of corrosion and the water heater needs to be replaced ASAP before it leaks.
Water is leaking from the water heater.
The only place where you should see water escaping from a water heater is a few drips from the pressure relief valve. If you’re seeing water leaks anywhere else, or if water is pooling around the water heater base, it’s likely you need a replacement. Leaks are something you don’t want to have to deal with as a homeowner.
If you’re concerned about your water heater’s performance and aren’t sure if it needs to be replaced or if a repair could extend its lifespan, give us a call. We’ll provide an honest estimate of your system.
Contact HM Plumbing today to discuss water heater repair in Atlanta, GA. Serving with Integrity.