No one wants an unexpected broken water heater that leaves you with cold showers. How can you tell if your water heater is too old and about to fail? A well-maintained water heater can last 10 to 15 years, but this is no guarantee.
Several factors contribute to what causes a water heater to stop working. Tanks can corrode or leak, and heating elements break or stop working. Sometimes the right thing to do is to replace a part of your water heater, but in other instances, you are better off replacing the whole unit. There are various ways to check the age and efficiency of your water heater to see if it needs repair or replacement soon.
How to Check the Age of Your Water Heater
Sometimes it can be tricky to find the actual age of your water heater. Some manufacturers make it easy to find the age of your water heater and provide an age decoder on their website. First, locate the manufacturer sticker on the rating plate on the side of your unit. In some cases, the age of your unit will be clearly displayed on this sticker. If not, use the first 4 digits of the serial number that you can use to decode the actual month and year of the water heater’s production. For example, if the first four digits of the serial number are 0891, the water heater was manufactured in August 1991. If you are still having trouble figuring the age out, check the manufacturer’s website for a decoding system.
6 Signs Your Water Heater is Going to Stop Working
1. Running Out of Hot Water Quickly
If you have yet to flush out your hot water tank regularly or have a high volume of sediment in your water, those particles can settle in your tank. This accumulated sediment leaves less space for hot water, causing you to run out of it faster. This is a clear sign of your water heater going bad. If too many particles sit in your unit for too long, it may no longer be possible to flush the sediment out, clogging and corroding the valves. In this case, you will have to replace the water heater.
2. Water Leaking From the Heating Tank
Water leaking from the heating tank is a clear sign it is failing. Water may drip from the tank or pipes, or pool under the unit. Sometimes, when water leaks, it is because the valves are not fully closed or the connections are loose. If this is the case, it is an easy fix to tighten or replace these components. If the tank itself is leaking, you have no choice but to replace the whole unit.
3. Discolored Water Coming From Your Faucets
Murky or rusty-colored water is another common sign your water heater is failing. Water heaters have a coating along the inside to slow corrosion. Once the coating begins to thin, rust forms fast along the inside. Rusty water does not necessarily mean you need to replace your water heater. If the rust problem is mild, you can replace the anode rods to extend the life of your unit. This rust won’t necessarily harm your health, but it can damage your appliances and definitely won’t taste good.
4. Inconsistent Water Temperature
An additional sign your water heater is going out is inconsistency in your water temperature. An issue could cause this problem with the thermostat, which can be easily replaced. If the heating elements are broken, you have a more significant issue.
5. Lower Water Pressure
Hard water clogs the water heater system faster than soft. If you are experiencing lower water pressure than usual coming from your taps, you may have significant buildup in your water heater and connections. This problem may not be a sign you need to replace your water heater, but it is a sign that it needs service and should be looked at by a professional.
6. Unusual Noises Coming From the Water Heater
Strange noises like banging, rattling, and gurgling coming from your water heater are telltale signs you should call a professional to look at your water heater. Various issues could cause these noises, some with simple fixes, others requiring you to replace your water heater.
Contact A Professional HVAC Service Company Today
If you find yourself in need of furnace replacement or repair, it is best to contact a professional plumbing company as soon as possible. At Jordan Air and Plumbing, we service homes needing all water heater repair and replacement needs. Give us a call or book an appointment online, and let us help you today.
