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8 Signs That Your Water Heater Needs replacing

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Like any other home appliance, water heaters don’t last forever. One day you might be shocked to step into a cold shower, signaling that your water heater has reached the end of its life. For many homeowners, they would rather wait until their heater dies before replacing it. Some prefer to see the early signs and replace it before it breaks down altogether. Water heater technologies have come a long way over the last ten years. You may want to consider checking out the latest in both storage tank and tankless technologies before making a quick purchase. Knowing the signs that your heater is on its way out will give you a head start in your search for your next heater.

Tankless water heater

 #1 – My Water Heater Is Old

The life expectancy of a water heater is between 10 and 15 years. If your heater is older than that, or you don’t know how old it is, you may want to consider replacing it, especially if it has not had annual maintenance. New heaters with the latest technologies can save homeowners as much as 30% in energy costs over heaters purchased just ten years ago.

#2 – I Don’t Have Hot Water

The most obvious sign of a broken water heater is it stopped producing hot water. It’s possible that you’ve lost power to the heater or the pilot light is out in your gas heaters. A homeowner is capable of lighting the pilot light by following the instructions on the water heater. No hot water can stem from a faulty heating element to a broken thermostat. In most cases, your plumbing expert can repair your heater, but it does show signs that your heater is aging. 

#3 – My Water Heater Is Giving Warm Water But Not Hot Water

Most homeowners don’t know that their water heater needs annual maintenance. The average do-it-yourselfer can maintain their own heater by draining the sediment caused by hard water. Some manufactures require it as part of the warranty. The sediment settles at the bottom of the storage tank, causing your heater to work harder and shortening the life of your heating element. It also causes the heating process to lose its efficiency leaving your water lukewarm.

 #4 – My Water Heater’s Storage Tank Is Rusted

 If your water heater has a rusted storage tank, then it’s time to replace your heater before you have bigger problems such as flooding. When you can see visible rust on the bottom of the tank, it could mean that the rust has completely eroded through the metal lining. When you see rust localized to the top of the storage tank, chances are you have a water leak. Either way, you need to have your heater replaced.

#5 – My Water Heater Is Noisy

Knocking noises is also something caused by sediment at the bottom of your heater. The deposits settle at the bottom of the tank, and as the heating element heats the tank, it creates a force that leads to steam bubbles that rise when the tank is heated. The bubbles become trapped, creating all sorts of sounds. It’s a sure sign that your water heater is old and may soon need replacing.

#6 – I See Rust In My Water

If you have water coming from your tap that is reddish-brown, it might be because of rust built up in the storage tank—the cause is iron in our water supply. Discolored water usually doesn’t happen overnight so when you see the first sign, have your plumbing technician locate the rust. If the problem is coming from the tank, you can contribute it to a failed anode rod in your tank. The anode rod is responsible for attracting corrosive particles, including iron, before attacking the water heater’s wall. If the anode rod no longer works, then the iron is free to create rust.

#7 – My Water Heater Is Leaking

A leaking water heater is never a good sign, especially if your heater old. On the other hand, if your heater still has a lot more life in it and it has not reached that critical age, then it may be something minor such as a drain valve or temperature & pressure relief valve (T&P valve). If your water storage tank is leaking, replace your heater ASAP.

#8 – I’ve Had It Repaired Several Times Now

At some point, it doesn’t make sense to continue repairing an old water heater. Since it needs replacing soon rather than later anyway, it’s probably not a good idea to continue pouring money into an old heater. Replacing your water heater doesn’t have to be a huge hassle. An upgrade to a new appliance can improve your quality of life. Start enjoying your new water heater today. It comes complete with the latest technologies. You’ll start saving money and energy from the moment you have it installed, and Big B’s Plumbing offers 0% financing for one year. Call today and will give you the value and service you deserve. License #986152

Brandon and Family, Licensed plumbing contractor

Family Owned & Operated

My name is Brandon Mageno. I'm the founder, President, and CEO of Big B's Plumbing Company. As the founder, I never thought about being average or good. My passion for being the best plumbing company in Southern California has always been the same. Providing plumbing services to this great county is simply in my DNA. Nothing makes me happier than to see a satisfied customer. Learn More About Us

7 thoughts on “8 Signs That Your Water Heater Needs replacing”

  1. I didn’t know that I should replace our water heater once it had exceeded the 15-year mark. Ours had been around for around 20, so I guess it is time to hire experts and have it replaced. It would also be a good idea to ask for tankless water heaters and see if we can afford them.

  2. I used to think that if a water heater is making strange noises, it just means that it’s working properly. What you said about how this is a warning of mineral buildup is a surprise to me. I should recommend this to my friend since he told me that his heater is making a ticking noise. This way, he could have it replaced if needed.

  3. I like how you mentioned noticing rust or red water from around the water heater. My water heater is having leaks again for the 2nd time this year and it\’s getting frustrating. I might have to replace it with a newer model before winter hits.

  4. I’m glad you mentioned that you may want to replace the water heater after multiple repairs. My water heater broke down this morning. I will have it fixed and then replaced in the future if it keeps having issues.

  5. You got my attention when you said that you should consider having your water heater replaced if the water coming from it is reddish-brown which might due to rust built up in the storage tank. With this in mind, we will make sure to hire a plumber that can have our heater checked for repairs. My husband noticed that the water coming from the tap smells metallic and has signs of discoloration, and we don’t want the problem to cause safety hazards.

  6. It caught my attention when you said that water heaters’ life expectancy is between 10 and 15 years, and they should be replaced if they are older than that. With this in mind, I will make sure to hire a professional that can install a new one for us. My husband and I decided to move back to our old house as we need a bigger home. The water heater installed there is more than 17 years old as it was installed when we got married, and it might not work well anymore. Thanks!

  7. It’s good to know that water heaters last about 10-15 years. My water heater is well over 15 years old. I will speak with a plumber in the area about having it replaced.

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