There are few things worse than hopping into a shower, only to find that your water is as cold as the freezing winter air outside. Unfortunately, that’s the nightmare you may end up living with if your water heater fails, especially if you’ve neglected proper maintenance and repair. Whether you have a newer unit or an older model, it’s important to understand when to replace your water heater to avoid dreaded cold showers, high utility bills, and emergency repair. Here’s when a replacement is a good idea.
Your Water Heater Is Aging This, of course, is one of the telltale signs a water heater replacement may be needed. On average, most water heaters will last you around ten years. You can check your water heater’s age based on the serial number on the tank if you aren’t sure when it was purchased. If your unit is creeping closer to ten years old, you may want to evaluate its performance and decide whether it’s better to get a new water heater.
Your Heating Bills Are Rising If your water heater seems to be functioning, you may be tempted to keep it running until it breaks down, sparing yourself the expense of a replacement. However, older or broken water heater units tend to work with less efficiency, meaning they require more energy to heat up the same amount of water. A modern energy-efficient model can often help save you money on heating in the long run, so it’s worth considering a switch!
The Heater Is Corroding Steel is an incredibly strong material, but it can’t fight one powerful enemy: rust and corrosion. When your water pipe, valve, or tank starts to rust, it’s a sign that corrosion is starting to eat away at the steel itself—which can cause major problems down the line. One more sign to look out for? Tap water that comes out with a rusty, reddish colour, which can be a clue that the rust has occurred on the inside of the pipes or tank.
Your Water Heater Is Noisy All home appliances make subtle noises of their own as they cycle on and off, but you should be wary if your hot water heater makes strange or unusual sounds. Strange noises often happen because of sediment buildup. Residue that has built up on the bottom of your tank can harden and bang against the sides of your heater, which is where the loud noises come from. Sometimes, a simple water heater repair or even DIY flushing can solve this problem, but sometimes, you’ll need to replace it entirely.
Your Water Heater Leaks Leaking pipes are a common reason people call emergency plumbing services. However, when your water heater’s leak is slow and constant, requiring multiple ongoing repairs, it may be a sign that your heater has outlived its usefulness. Water leaks often happen due to the metal’s expansion and contraction with temperature changes. At times, the endless heating cycles can cause irreparable damage that requires a total upgrade, not a quick fix.
Let Us Replace Your Water Heater
If you’re experiencing one or more of these issues, you’ll need to replace your water heater as soon as possible to ensure the comfort of your household. At Problem Solved Plumbing & Heating, we offer 24/7 service throughout Cochrane and the surrounding area for a huge range of plumbing issues, including water tank and heater replacements and repairs. Get in touch with our plumbers today for quick and professional service!