A water heater, no matter how effective it was at the beginning, will at one point need a replacement. The frequency of water use, maintenance, and the number of your household will determine how long the water heater will be of service. Some signs will help you know when it is time to get your water heater replaced, and they include the following.
1) Presence Of Rust
If you notice rust in water when you open the faucets, it is an indication that your water heater or pipes could be rusty. Old water heaters are prone to rust, leading to leaks as the rust eats away the surface. Even though you may not first tell whether the rust is in the water heater or pipes, you should not wait for more disastrous signs to call for help.
You can contact AllStar Plumbing experts to have them diagnose where the problem is originating from. Any indication of rust poses a threat to the sanitation of your home and thus needs addressing immediately. A professional plumber will advise on whether it is time to replace the water heater or the pipes, and you can take the right step before the whole system becomes faulty.
2) Leakage
Leaks are one of the worst problems you can ever notice from your water heater due to the damage they may cause if identified late. A leak can ruin your carpets, destroy belongings, and form molds on walls, floors, and carpets if the it is inside the house. Some reasons that could lead to leaks include metal expansion, rust, loose fittings to the tank, and pressure overflow of pipes.
Once you notice a leak, you can call a plumber to check where the problem started. If it is a problem with fittings, the remedy will be tightening them, but if the fault is with the water heater, then a replacement is the long-lasting solution.
3) Old Water Heater
Even the most effective water heater has an expiration date, and it will require a replacement when that time comes. Old age can make the it start acting up, and you may be unaware of it. Most water heaters last for eight to ten years, but a replacement could be before or after this time.
Though some may not show any signs of damage, it is advisable to replace it once it hits a decade since its manufacture. You can tell your water heater’s age by looking at its serial number indicated on the tank’s upper half.
4) Water Not Heating
If the water heater stops heating the water in the house, many chores would be cumbersome to accomplish. Some of the reasons the water could not be heating up include a tank more minor than the house size, breakage in the heating element, and a wrongly adjusted thermostat. Of the three reasons, the small-sized tank is the only one that may warrant a replacement if the number of your household has grown, causing water consumption in the house to increase.
You can solve the thermostat issue by adjusting it to 120 to 140 degrees to provide sufficient warm water. If it is a heating element with breakage, a plumber can help repair it.