Your water is designed to last for a long time, but not forever. Eventually, you will have to replace your current water heater with an updated version. The question is, when? The good news is there are some signs that indicate your water heater is reaching the end of its lifespan.
When you pay attention to these signs, you can stay ahead of a water heater breakdown to avoid interruption of service. Keep reading to learn more about the top five signs of water heater problems that may mean it’s time to consider water heater repair in O’Fallon, MO. Then give our team a call for your in-home assessment so our experts can help you find the perfect replacement.
Water Heater Age
You can realistically expect your water heater to last for around a decade. With proper care, it’s possible that your water heater will last for longer, but by the ten-year mark, it’s time to begin planning for a replacement. You definitely want to plan on a replacement over a repair option at this point.
It’s possible that your water heater was already installed in your home when you moved in. If that’s the case, you may not know exactly how old it is. You can find the serial number on your water heater tank and do a quick search online for the brand name and serial number. You should get results that tell you how old your water heater is. You can also go to the manufacturer’s website to learn even more about your water heater.
Unusual Sounds
Your water heater isn’t necessarily silent when it operates from day to day, but it shouldn’t be loud either. Any loud or alarming sounds are an indication that something is wrong. Sometimes your water heater can be repaired, but when loud sounds are paired with age, there’s a higher chance that it’s time for a replacement instead.
Most of the time unusual sounds are caused by hard water sediment buildup. The minerals can cause a knocking sound when the elements heat up. These minerals are dangerous because they can corrode your water tank from the inside out and even impact how well your water heater can heat water.
Signs of Corrosion
Sometimes the signs of hard water corrosion can extend to the outside of your water heater. You may notice leaks around valves and connections. Rust may even develop on the outside of your water tank or around the pipes. Some exterior corrosion can be fixed before it spreads, but if corrosion begins on the inside of the tank then there isn’t a way to make repairs–it’s time for a complete water heater replacement.
Lack of Heat
We already mentioned that the minerals from hard water can block the heating element so that it can’t adequately heat water. But that’s not the only potential problem when it comes to heating. Sometimes your heating element can go out and stop working even when the tank itself is still in good shape. Sometimes we can replace the heating element, but if the tank is older then it may make sense to invest in an entirely new water heater.
Leaks
It’s easy to think that a water heater is going to have a leak here or that. It’s full of water, after all. But your water heater should never leak. If it does, the problem needs to be addressed right away. Some leaks can be fixed easily if the leak happens at a valve or pipe connection. But other leaks are more difficult to fix and may require a replacement instead.
Warm People, Cool Ideas, Quality Solutions. Give our team at Swiss Air Heating & Cooling, LLC a call today to schedule an appointment for water heater service.
