How to Know If Your Water Heater Is About to Fail

How to Know If Your Water Heater Is About to Fail

Your water heater is a very significant appliance in your home. It provides you with hot showers, dishes, laundry and so on. However, it cannot last forever. What are the signs that your water heater is going bad?

Most homeowners do not give a thought to their water heater until it goes out. However, when you understand how to identify the first signs of damage, then you would be able to prevent the occurrence of sudden failure, water damage, and costly emergency repairs. In this article, we are going to discuss all the possible indications that your water heater is close to retirement, how long water heaters tend to last and what can be done to be ready.

How Long Does a Water Heater Last?

Most regular water heaters have a life span of 8-12 years, depending on the maintenance of the tank, the hardness of the water and the quality of the water heater. Even tankless water heaters can extend to 20 years when well maintained.

When your water heater is in the vicinity of this age bracket, then it is effective to keep an eye out for the signs of malfunctioning. If you see something is not right earlier, it is easier and cheaper to cure than to fix it when it finally breaks down.

Signs Your Water Heater Might Be Failing

Not Enough Hot Water

When you look up and realize that your showers are becoming too cold too soon, or you can no longer use hot water at your regular usage levels, you really have to know that your water heater is under strain.

This may be because:

• A cross-threaded heating element
• Deposition of sediment in the tank. Find out more about how to flush sediment from your water heater!
• A bad thermostat

In some cases, such issues are fixable. However with the older heaters, this is usually an indication that the system is becoming worn out and it will probably be time to replace it shortly.

Water Takes Too Long to Heat

Another warning sign is the fact that hot water is taking long. Possibly this is because:

• Old heating elements
• Accumulation of minerals in the tank (particularly, when you have hard water)

As it takes longer to heat up, it might signify that your water heater is losing its efficiency and soon it is going to break.

Strange Noises from the Tank

When you hear noises like popping, banging, rumbling or cracking out of a water heater, you cannot ignore this. Such sounds tend to be a result of sediments at the bottom of the tank.

Water in the unattainable state penetrates through hardened sediment, heats up and boils, producing such loud sounds. This will result in additional stress on the tank and will increase inefficiency, thereby breaking down quicker.

Rusty or Discolored Water

When the water in spite of the hot-water tap looks rusty, brown, or even smells metallic, then there is a possibility that the interior of the water heater tank is rusting.

This may imply:

• The tank lining is rusting out
• The rod in the anode is rust proofed out (the anode part). Read more about the Types of Water Heater Anode Rod Issues & Steps to Fix.

As soon as rust sets in within the tank, then the heater cannot be repaired- it will at a point leak or burst. This is better done before it occurs.

Leaking Around the Tank

Puddles of water around your water heater are a grave indicator of the presence of a problem. Leaks may be in the form of:

• Tank cracks
• Loose or Blown fittings
• Build-up of excessive pressure within the tank

Even minor leaks will later increase and cause flooding or water damage. With the leakage of a tank, it is almost impossible that it does not require a replacement.

Read more about why your water heater is leaking.

Inconsistent Water Temperature

Did you ever have your water go suddenly hot and cold and back again? This can occur when your water heater is broken in terms of the thermostat or heating element.

Dial the number of a plumber immediately when you notice frequent changes in your water temperature, or when water has become so hot that it can be considered dangerous. It may be an indication of a faulty condition which may prove to be unsafe.

Visible Corrosion on the Tank or Pipes

Examine the external part of your water heater. Among the typical signs of moisture loss or reaction with metal components include rust or corrosion on the pipes or tank bottom surface and white calcium deposits. This corrosion can ultimately cause leaks or crack.

Your Unit Is Over 10 Years Old

Age is a factor even when your water heater appears to be functioning well. The risk of failure will jump when your system is 10 years or up.

To determine the age of your water heater in case of doubt, read the serial number on the label of the manufacturer. The initial few numbers tend to signify the month and year that it was created.

When you change a heater that is about to break down, you will experience some calm and save on the emergency plumbing expenses.

Higher Energy Bills

The older a water heater is, the less energy efficient it is. You might also begin to see that your energy bills are rising in spite of your not using more. This is normally due to the increased efforts of the heater to heat the same amount of water hotter.

Over time, it can be cost effective to swap to a newer model as they are more efficient.

What to Do If You Notice These Signs

When you sustain one or more of the above identified signs, do not delay. This is what you ought to do:

• Call a plumbing service or repairman: He will look at your water heater and tell you what the problem is and either fix It or simply replace it.
• Empty your tank: In some cases, they just have to flush their tank and remove possible accumulation of sediments. This can be of great assistance, provided your heater is not yet a decade old.
• Replace the anode rod: This is a cheap component that will lengthen the life of your water heater as long as it is changed before it has suffered substantial damage.

However when your heater is old, leaking, rusting, or unreliable then it is normally wiser, instead of paying many times to have it repaired, to simply replace your heater.

Benefits of Replacing a Failing Water Heater

In case it is time to upgrade, these are some of its benefits:

• Quality Hot water: No more cold showers, the running out during shaving those times!
• Energy savings: Newer versions consume fewer energy resources and also warm the resources faster.
• Improved safety: When a water heater stops working, it may become hazardous in case it overheats or releases gas.
• Smart capability: Much of the new generation of heaters are being produced with digital controls, mobile applications, and vacation settings.
• Added home value: As a home owner when selling it a new water heater is a good investment.

Preventing Future Problems

In order to prolong the life of your new or already existing water heater, do the following:

• Empty once-a-year the tank and drain away the sediment
• Check on anode rod on 2-3 year basis
• It should also maintain the heating temperature at 120 C (49 C) to be both safe and efficient
• Arrange periodic checks with authorized plumber once a year
• In case you have hard water, install a water softener

No one wants to wait until their water heater quits on them just when they need it most. Whether you have noticed any of the warning signs listed above or your water heater is over 10 years old, call Lifetime Plumbing today.

Our licensed plumbers will check your system, make recommendations clear, and guide you so that you remain healthy, and happy.

At Lifetime Plumbing, we want to make sure that you always have hot water in your home with none of the hassles.

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