The amount of thought most people want to give a water heater is none. After all, if hot water comes out of the faucet when you need it, what’s there to worry about? While water heaters exist in the background of our day-to-day lives, there will be clear indicators when it’s time to purchase a new one. And if you don’t heed the warning signs below, you could unexpectedly find yourself without hot water when you need it the most as well as looking at an expensive water damage bill.
Signs You Need a New Water Heater
Not only will your water heater develop problems at the worst possible time, it will also typically be in a tight space requiring access to both your water line and either gas or electricity.
Given this, when it’s time to remove one and install a new water heater, rely on professionals with the right skills for the job.
Leaks
It’s simple: If your water heater tank is leaking, it’s time to buy a new one. There’s no way to safely fix leaks as they indicate both the interior lining and the tank itself are seriously compromised.
Ignoring even a small leak can mean one day you’ll suddenly find your house flooded with 30-60 gallons of water.
Rusty Water
When rust shows up in your water, that could be a sign your tank is rusting on the inside, a precursor to future leaks.
Fill several five-gallon buckets with either hot or cold water. If rust only shows up in the hot water, it’s time to think about a new water heater.
No Hot Water
If you suddenly have no hot water at all, that’s usually a sign the heating element has gone out.
A trained technician can replace this with no problem, but depending on the age of the unit, you may want to cut your losses and purchase a new, more efficient system.
Rumbling Sounds
When your hot water heater begins making rumbling noises when coming on, that’s sediment boiling at the bottom of the tank. This sediment absorbs heat and causes the interior temperature to rise higher than it should.
This weakens the tank’s lining and the tank itself. Your water heater is sustaining long-term damage, and depending on the severity, you could need a new one before worse problems occur.
Old Age
Nothing lasts forever, especially water heaters. Most units have a lifespan of 8-12 years, and if yours lasts any longer than that, count yourself lucky.
Stay ahead of the curve by buying a new one before serious problems inevitably occur. New water heaters are becoming more efficient which can help offset the cost or you could decide to go tankless.
Water Heater Maintenance
The best way to maximize water heater performance and extend its life is with a regular preventive maintenance plan.
Our trained technicians can perform an overall assessment of your water heater, drain it and flush out accumulated sediment, and do additional fine tuning of components as necessary.
Contact Cooling Unlimited Inc. for your water heater needs in Newton, MA, today!
