4 Common Signs You Need A New Water Heater

2 mins read

Your water heater is an essential part of your home, although one that is often overlooked as it simply does its job day after day. They have been in existence since the late 19th century, although the systems are much better today than they were then!

The best way to look after your water heater is to have regular servicing done. This will help to extend its life and minimize the cost of running the heater.

Of course, if you use a reputable firm, such as Rheem hot water you won’t just have high-quality annual servicing, you’ll also have an existing relationship which will help when you need a new water heater.

While the technician will tell you when repairs are no longer the best option, there are several signs you should be aware of. These tell you it’s time to replace your heater.

  1. Leaks

Your water heater has water, oxygen, and metal. That’s the perfect ingredients for rust or corrosion to establish itself. This generally happens toward the bottom of the tank, where debris collects and it’s easier for rust to form. While water heaters are built to last for many years, eventually they will corrode. At this stage, you’ll notice a small leak at the base of the heater.

 

If left, it will become worse and you could, potentially, have water all over your floor. This is a warning sign that your water heater needs to be replaced, and soon.

  1. Strange Noises

Strange noises from any mechanical item usually mean there is an issue that needs to be resolved. Your water heater is no different. If it is making groans, gurgling noise, or any other unusual sound, call your technician and have them look at it.

While some things can be repaired, in many cases these sounds are your water heater telling you it is reaching the end of its life. Your technician will be able to advise approximately how quickly you need to replace the heater.

  1. Water is not always hot

Having lukewarm or even cold water is frustrating and unpleasant. While there can be a variety of issues causing occasional loss of hot water, if you find it is constantly going hot and cold then your water heater is probably at the end of its life.

The inability of the heater to warm your water properly is a sign that the electrical elements are failing. Although they can be replaced, it’s often not worth it.

 

  1. Discoloration

Finally, turning on a faucet and seeing rust-colored water is a sure sign that there is corrosion in the tank. When there is enough corrosion to cause it to come through the pipes and out of your faucet, you know that the corrosion is bad. In short, you’re going to want to replace your water heater as soon as possible to prevent a nasty flooding accident at home.

The good news is there are plenty of energy-efficient water heaters available, replacing yours could actually save you money in the long term.