Most people in the United States don’t remember the time when people had to heat up water to take a comfortable bath or wash their dishes. Thanks to modern water heater installation all you have to do is turn on the tap.
Most people don’t think about what they’d do if they had to wait and go find hot water.
You would hate to have to replace your water heater as a homeowner. We share some tips to help you understand when it’s time to look at your water heater and replace it.
The Water and Heating Bills Spike
A homeowner who suddenly notices that their water and energy bills are sky high should take a look at their water heater. This is a sign that the heater has a leak, as is an electrical meter that’s running unusually fast.
The homeowner can expect even more trouble if the leaking water heater is in the house, for the floor can also have suffered damage. However, a hot water heater in a crawl space with a dirt floor could have been leaking for a long time without anyone noticing.
If the homeowner does notice that the floor around the water heater is wet, they should check the pipes first to make sure they are not leaking.
This includes the pressure overflow pipe, and the fittings and connections. If they are all sound, it means they have a leak, and it needs to get replaced.
Rushing Water and Other Strange Noises
When a homeowner hears the sound of rushing water from beneath the house this may be an indication that the heater has suffered a rupture. Again, if it is in a bare crawl space, this and next month’s bills may be the only sign that something is amiss.
Other sounds that can cause concerns are:
- Cracks
- Pops
- Bangs
- Rumbles
This means that sediment has accumulated on the bottom of the water tank and has begun to petrify. This not only causes the water heater to use more power, but the sediment itself eats into the metal. This leads to leaks and the end of the water heater.
Rusty Water
A water heater that hasn’t been serviced in a long time and is nearing its end will produce rust-colored water from the hot water line and only the hot water line.
This means that the water heater is rusting internally and a leak is in the offing. It’s time to call a water heater replacement company. One caveat is that if the heater is hooked up to galvanized pipes, the water heater plumbing itself may have rust.
This is another problem, but it may not have anything to do with the water heater. One way to check is to drain about 15 gallons of water out of the heater. Water that is still rusty after that is probably caused by the water heater.
Muddy Water
If muddy water comes from the hot water line, it means sediment has built up in the heater.
Unlike rust-colored water, a heater that is spewing mud may only need to have the sediment removed to extend its life.
No Hot Water
If no hot water at all comes out when the hot water lever is turned, it may mean that the circuit breaker’s tripped, or the heater’s pilot light is off for some reason.
Water that is cooler than the homeowner is used to is a sign that the heating element is failing. It could also mean that the thermostat needs to be reset. A water heater’s ideal temperature is between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bad Tasting or Smelling Water
If the water that comes out of the hot water faucet smells and tests like metal, it means that the metal is flaking off and entering the water in the tank.
In other words, the heater is deteriorating, and water heater replacement is needed.
Has Not Been Serviced In Years!
A homeowner who can’t remember when their heater was last serviced by a water heater technician and has lived in their home for 20 years probably has a water heater on its last legs.
If the homeowner wants to know the age of their water heater, they should look at the serial number. The odd thing about this is that the date when the heater was manufactured is in some kind of code.
For example, if it was made in February of 2010, the serial number will read something like B10 followed by a slew of other numbers. The homeowner should check their manufacturer’s website or call them to help figure out the code.
The Repairman Keeps Coming
A homeowner who has to call the repairman again and again for water heater repair should seriously consider on replacing the water heater with a new one and not spend money on quick fixes.
