Like any appliance, water heaters break down over time and need to be replaced. No one enjoys taking a cold shower, so ideally, you’d like to be able to replace your water heater before it completely stops working.  

If you wait too long, it could lead to a much larger problem. Such as large leaks and water damage to your home. So how do you know when it’s time to replace your water heater? This article will provide 5 clues to help you decide.

Clue #1: Age

The older the water heater, the more likely it is to break down. As a general rule, a tank style water heater will last, on average, 8 to 12 years. If your water heater is pushing the 10-year mark, there’s a good chance it’s time to replace the unit.

With proper maintenance, and a little luck, you may be able to nearly double the lifespan of your water heater. However, sometimes, even with the best of care, a water heater will need to be replaced after only a few years.

Clue #2: Rust and Corrosion

Check your tank for rust or corrosion. Most hot water tanks are made out of steel and will eventually rust. You may even notice rust in your hot water when it’s drawn from the tap. 

If you find rust or corrosion by the temperature and pressure relief valve, and/or the water inlet and outlet connections, it’s a good indication that your tank is rusting and needs to be replaced. 

Unfortunately, there’s not a way to repair a tank once it starts to rust and corrode. If your water heater has not started to leak yet, it’ll only be a matter of time before it does.

Clue #3: Drain Valve Does Not Drain Water

Over time, the sediment builds and settles inside the bottom of the water heater’s tank. If you have a gas water heater, you may have noticed a popping sound when the burner ignites. This is an indication that there’s sediment build-up.

However, regardless of the fuel source, sediment build-up is a problem for both electric and gas water heaters. As it accumulates, it can clog the drain valve, and over time, it will even break down the interior of the steel tank. 

Flushing your water heater once a year will remove the sediment and help prevent damage to the tank, as well as extend the life of your water heater. But if you’re not regularly flushing your tank, the sediment will build-up and eventually cause some serious problems.

There’s always the possibility that the sediment build-up may have reached a point where the tank can no longer be drained. When this is the case, it’ll be necessary to replace your water heater.

Clue #4: Hot Water Tank Is Leaking

A leak from the hot water tank is usually caused by an internal problem and is rarely repairable.

If you find the leak is coming from the tank itself, you’ll most likely need to replace your water heater.

To prevent further water damage, turn OFF both the water and power to the water heater. Then call us to have one of our professional plumbers come in to install a new unit. 

Clue #5: Water is Luke Warm or Cold

Something is clearly wrong if you find your water isn’t as hot as it once was, or worse, it isn’t hot at all. There may be a problem with the heating element, or the electric thermostat. It’s not uncommon for these parts to fail entirely or simply malfunction over time.

It could also be something as simple as your hot water requirements have increased. If this is the case, your water heater may be working fine, but isn’t able to meet the household demand for hot water. 

Have You Decided It’s Time For A Replacement?

If you determine that you need to replace your water heater, you should consider the following:

  • Will you replace your system with the same type? If you’ve been considering switching to a tankless water heater, this might be a good time. 
  • Did the tank size of your old water heater meet your current household needs? If not, you may want to purchase a larger tank.

REMEMBER!

The better you take care of your water heater, the longer your water heater will last. Performing regular maintenance will not only extend the life of your water heater, but it will also save you money!

Call the professionals at TMS to perform your annual water heater maintenance or to go through all of the options with you if you think it’s time for a new unit. We’re here to ensure you have all of the hot water you need in your home and whether that is via maintenance, repairs, or replacement, we”ll take care of it every step of the way.