Hot water is essential to the everyday function of modern households. We rely on hot water to bathe, cook, wash clothes, and clean dishes. Over time, you may notice your water heater not functioning as well as it should. Even top-of-the-line systems have a lifespan of around a decade! Although you can prolong your system’s lifespan with preventative maintenance, the time will come for a replacement. Our Peter Levi team has listed the five most common signs it’s time to replace your water heater. Continue reading to learn what they are!
This one may be self-explanatory, but if your system is failing to heat water, there may be an underlying issue. Fortunately, there are three associated problems with why your system may not be producing hot water: a misadjusted thermostat, a broken heating element, or a tank that is too small for your house. The first two issues are easy to rectify and don’t qualify for an entirely new system. However, if your system’s tank is too small for your home, then it may be time to reconsider a larger tank size to fulfill the demands of your house.
Nothing lasts forever, and that holds true for home systems. Throughout a homeowner’s occupancy, they are bound to face some turbulence with one system or another. Most water heaters have a lifespan of around 8-10 years. The easiest way to learn your system’s age is by looking at the serial number and researching! The letter at the start of the serial number correlates to the month your system was manufactured. For example, if your serial number begins with ‘D’, ‘G’, or ‘I’ those are the fourth, seventh, and ninth months in the year. The two numbers directly after are the last two digits of the year your system was manufactured.
For example, D086462394 was manufactured in April of 2008.
If you begin to notice leaking around the bottom of your water heater, your system is likely to be near the end of its life expectancy. Unfortunately, leaks from a water heater can result in significant damage if left unaddressed. If there are no issues with your system’s fittings, then you most certainly have an issue with the tank itself and you will have to replace your system.
The water in your home should only be clear. If you begin to notice rusty water coming from your plumbing fixtures, then you most likely have a rusty water heater. Rust in an aging water heater is inevitable. However, it can be difficult to determine if the rust is coming from your water heater or the pipes that lead to your faucets. If you spot rust along the water inlet or pressure relief valve, then it is most likely occurring inside your tank. Once rust occurs on the inside of your water heater the only choice is to replace your system.
Another sign of an aging system is noise when you use warm water. Noise coming from your water heater is typically caused by sediment build-up. Sediment build-up is the result of long-term use and results in sediment forming and hardening along the floor of the tank. However, flushing your tank can relieve your system of build-up and allow it to work more efficiently.
If you notice one or more of these signs it may be time to replace your home’s system. Give our Peter Levi team a call today (833) 209-3582 and we’ll TAKE CARE OF IT!
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