5 Signs You Need a New Water Heater

You might be surprised at how easy it is to forget about your water heater’s age, or how difficult it can be to recognize a problem before it causes a big leak. 

There are a few indications that you can leverage to monitor the condition of your water heater. You’ll want to be on the lookout for them to keep your equipment in the best condition. 

Here are five potential signs it may be time to replace your water heater in the U.S.. 

1. It’s Starting to Demonstrate Its Age 

Just like the other important appliances inside your home, your water heater has a definite life span. When it reaches the end, it will run much less efficiently and might be costlier to fix than replacing it. 

The average water heater life span is around six to eight years. You won’t want your water heater to be working for more than 10 years, as this may create pricey damage in your house if it fails. 

It’s always possible for your water heater to have problems before this time, so be attentive to anything that seems unusual. 

2. Rust is Starting to Show 

Rust is usually an indication your water heater needs to be inspected. Rust is corrosive and may rapidly expand to other components. This can create a leak or other issues. If you see some on the tank or pipes, contact a licensed professional. 

3. Not Enough Heated Water 

If your water heater is struggling to heat water, that’s an obvious sign an upgrade is necessary. Your heater may not be able to provide any hot water because of too much sediment. The tank capacity might also be inadequate for the amount of water your home needs. 

This is especially true for larger homes. The faster you run out of hot water, the more important it is to consider getting a new one. 

4. You’re Hearing Odd Noises 

Your water heater will make some noise. If you begin to notice banging noises coming from the tank on a regular basis, that could mean a component isn’t secure. 

Odd sounds could also indicate there’s junk building up on the tank’s base. Excessive buildup could force your water heater to work harder and increase your energy bills as a result. 

Listen closely if you begin to hear any strange noises, and give us a call right away. 

5. Sudden Leaks 

If you notice puddles or dark areas close to your water heater, it’s a smart time to think about getting a replacement unit as soon as possible. 

These leaks are often caused by small fractures in the tank itself. The longer you ignore it, the more likely you’ll experience a crisis when the tank malfunctions. (You can stop a messy tank malfunction later on by getting a tankless water heater, which doesn’t hold water.) 

Water damage is expensive to fix and a nuisance you shouldn’t have to deal with. 

If your water heater is past its prime, or in dire need of professional repairs, contact the Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing pros at 866-397-3787. You could also request an appointment by contacting us online.