Whether you start your day with a hot shower or end it with one, that warm water you can hardly do without. Stepping into an ice-cold shower because your water heater has failed would be one very rude awakening. Before that happens, you might spot some common telltale signs that you need to replace your water heater. Here’s what to keep an eye out for.
There’s Rust in Your Tap Water
If you’re about to lose your hot water, here’s a problem you can see rather than feel. Every water heater includes a metal rod called a sacrificial anode. This aluminum rod attracts metallic particles in your water tank to divert corrosion from the tank to the rod. “Sacrificial” isn’t just a clever name—by attracting these particles, the rod indeed destroys itself to save the rest of the tank. Once the process has exhausted the rod, the tank will corrode, and that’s when you’ll begin to see rusty water leave your tap. If your water is orange or brown, the time to replace your sacrificial anode has passed, and it’s now time for a full replacement.
You’re Hearing Sounds You Shouldn’t Hear
Our second signal is a problem you can hear. Your water heater should be aurally inconspicuous. However, as sediment collects and hardens in the heat, it will sink to the bottom and start rattling in your tank as it operates. If you start hearing unusual noises emanating from your water heater, it might be time to replace it.
Standing Water Is Collecting Around the Tank
You may spend a lot of time hanging out in the man cave, but there are some not-as-cozy parts of the basement that need your attention too. Is there water pooling beside your water heater? The condensation that attends temperature changes could be the cause, but it could also be the result of serious corrosion. If you see standing water, don’t just sop it up. Investigate the cause.
It’s Simply Getting Up There in Years
Time may heal all wounds, but it destroys all water heaters too. Perhaps the simplest telltale sign you need to replace your water heater is its age. These units work hard, and even the sturdiest standard construction only operates for an average of 15 years. Tankless heaters can last at least 20 years, but you should keep an eye on your heater’s date and prepare for a potential replacement.
Water Heater Replacement: A Tankless Task
If your water heater has reached the end of its life span, it’s time to replace it not only with a newer model but one that will last considerably longer than its predecessor. Look to Allegiance Service Group’s Lake County plumbers for affordable and reliable tankless water heater installation so you can enjoy 20 years or more of hot water on demand—morning, afternoon, and night.