Few things can be worse than hopping into your shower only to discover that your water is chilly and frosty, especially in the fall or winter. This usually happens because your reliable water heater has suddenly disappointed you.
Your water heater is an important home appliance that should always receive urgent attention and repair when needed. A delayed repair could lead to a leak or serious water damage in your home. Here are five signs that indicate it's time to change your old water heater.
1. Leaks or Pooling
Leaks from your water heater are terrible. So, take a brief walk around your unit and check for pooling. If you see any water around the heater or you notice water dripping out of it, it's a sure sign that the internal tank needs to be replaced.
Always remember that leaks can easily get worse and cause major flooding if the water tanks bursts. The tank is most likely leaking because the metal inside has cracked due to expansion and forced water out.
2. Strange Noises
If you hear questionable noises like popping sounds and loud cracks, your heater needs to be changed. Sometimes you may hear noises like a quick stampede of animals or a thunderstorm. These loud noises are frequently caused by a buildup of mineral deposits on the heating element. As the tank gets older, residue will build up at the base. As these sediments harden, they will start to bang on the heater and cause loud noises.
3. Contaminated Water
Contaminated water from your water heater may come in different forms:
- Sandy or muddy water that indicates sediment has built up in your tank
- Hot water with a metallic taste and smell
- Water with rust particles
Some of these issues may be resolved by draining the tank's contents to remove the sediment. But they also indicate that rust has damaged vital parts of the tank around the relief values and the connections for the inlet or outlet.
4. Warm Water Comes Out of Your Faucet
Another sign that your heater needs replacement is a drop in the temperature of the hot water. If you still have lukewarm water instead of hot after adjusting your thermostat to 120 to 140 degrees and running the hot water on full blast, it’s time to get a new water heater. This usually indicates that your water heater may not be repairable.
5. Frequent Repairs
When different parts of your water heater start breaking or the performance keeps degrading, it’s a sign that more problems are coming. If you have called for several repairs over the past few months, it’s a sign that your best option is to replace it before a major leak has a serious impact on your home.
If you have noticed one or more of these signs, it’s time to call a professional plumber. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Oneida is a licensed plumber certified by Onondaga County to handle plumbing leak detection and water heater replacement.
Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing to schedule a free in-home review of your water heater today.