Signs That It Might Be Time To Look for a New Water Heater
The water heater is one of the most important appliances in the home. Nothing is more refreshing and restoring than heating up in a hot shower over the cold and rainy months at the beginning of the new year. Additionally, hot water heaters are integral to cleaning up after holiday season parties and entertaining holiday guests. Normally, water heaters work continuously to keep hot water at the ready for a home’s occupants. Eventually, though, someone will go take a shower, and find that there is no hot water available. When this happens, it’s time to make a decision: repair or replace?
How Old Is the Current Water Heater?
One of the leading indicators that a water heater should be replaced is its age. Depending on the quality of the current water heater, it may still be under warranty. A water heater’s warranty protects the owners from costly repairs due to manufacturing problems and the subsequent damage they can cause. When warranties expire, homeowners can expect problems to begin to occur.
If the current water heater’s warranty status is unknown, then the general rule is 7-10 years. After this time, water heaters can start experiencing problems like leaks, discolored water, and impaired efficiency. Water heater repairs can add up, so it only takes a few repair bills to cover the cost of a new water heater installation. A licensed plumber is the best resource to help homeowners decide whether to make repairs or replace the tank.
Is It Distributing Rust-Colored Water?
One of the big indicators that problems are occurring with a water heater is discolorations in the water. Discoloration in the water might look like this:
- Rusty Water: Rusty or reddish water indicates that the tank’s lining is compromised and that serious leaks are just down the road. A metallic taste in the water may also suggest this.
- Cloudy Water: Cloudy water is an indicator of high mineral content in local water supplies. High mineral content can form a scale in tanks that can speed up corrosion.
- Gray Water: Gray water is another indicator that water has high mineral content. Water softeners can lower the content to protect water heaters and other appliances.
- Suspended Solids: Visible solids indicate that scale has built up in the water tank to the point it is flushing through the system. This means all points-of-use and appliances are being battered with low-quality water.
Are There Leaks in the Tank?
Leaks are usually an indicator that the water heater should be replaced. Leaks can occur at fitting and in the tank itself. When leaks occur around fittings, sometimes they can be repaired by replacing fittings and ensuring that no dissimilar metals were used during installation.
Leaks that occur in the tank are irreparable and can cause problems like:
- Damage to subfloors
- Hissing noises
- Flooding
- High bills
- Loss of performance
The cost to repair these damages greatly outweighs the cost of replacing a faulty water heater. Homeowners should protect their homes and enjoy the comforts of new water heaters when the time comes.
About Henco Plumbing Services
Henco Plumbing Services offer fast and reliable plumbing service to customers in Vancouver. Their licensed and trained technicians provide quality service at a competitive price. They back all of their parts and labor with a 1-year warranty. Call Henco Plumbing Services today for more information about their water heater installation services in Vancouver.
