In all the homes in Bloomington, IL there is at least one water heater. Water heaters are responsible for heating up the water in your house so that you do not have to manually heat up the water on the stove. The water heater works every day which means it is subject to wear and tear. A water heater has a shelf life like all appliances but when do you know when your water heater has reached the end of its life. Water heaters last between 10 to 15 years. Covenant Plumbing would like to tell you more about what it looks like when your water heater is busy failing. Here are six signs that indicate it is time for water heater replacement.
1. The Water Heater Is 10 Years Old
As mentioned above water heaters tend to last between ten and fifteen years. If you have carried out regular maintenance on your water heater and everything is still functioning fine then you should not have to worry until your plumbing service provider advises you otherwise. If your water heater has not been maintained properly then problems will start to arise when your water heater is around ten years old. If you know that the water heater is nearing the end of its life then you can start to save up to have a plumber conduct a water heater replacement because water heaters are expensive appliances.
2. Smelly Water
The water that is coming out of your plumbing system should be odorless. If your hot water is starting to smell like rotten eggs then there could be bacteria growing in your water heater tank. This can happen if your water heater was not used for a long time If you want to have the bacteria removed then the plumber would have to drain the water tank and clean out the water heater. This method can be the most affordable if the water heater is still younger than 10 years old. If it has passed the age of ten then you should discuss water heater replacement with your plumbing service provider.
3. Rust-Colored Hot Water
When you open the faucet to use your hot water or you want to take a shower or a bath, the water should not have a color. If your water is coming out rust-colored then there could be some problems with your water heater. Rust-colored water is often caused by sediment build-up in the tank of the water heater. If the sediment buildup dislodges then it will float around in the tank and contaminate the water. A professional plumber like Covenant Plumbing in Bloomington, IL would be able to remove the sediment build-up for you if there isn’t too much of it. Another thing that could cause your water to be the color of rust is that the inside of the tank is deteriorating. This happens when the water heater becomes too old. This problem can only be resolved by water heater replacement services.
4. Strange Sounds
Another warning sign that your water heater is in need of repair is that the water heater starts making strange sounds when it is heating up the water. There could be a few different causes for the strange sound. If there was some sediment build-up and it broke loose then the sound could be coming from the sediment floating around the tank and hitting the inside of the water heater tank. If you do not tend to this problem quickly then the sediment could puncture the tank causing a leak or even a bust water heater. This could lead to a lot of water damage in your home which will be costly to repair. It is also recommended that you hire a professional to conduct water heater replacement or repairs to ensure that the water heater will be fully functioning for a long time.
5. Running Out of Hot Water Frequently
The worst thing that could happen while you are taking a bath or a shower is if you run out of hot water right in the middle of it. If you notice that you are running out of hot water more frequently than in the past and your water demand has increased then it is time to consider replacing your water heater with one that is large or that is more energy-efficient. You might also consider adding an additional water heater to your home so that you can be sure that there will be enough hot water for your whole family. If your water consumption has not changed then there could be a large amount of sediment build-up occurring at the bottom of your tank. This means that not all the water is being heated to the right temperature. You should have a plumber inspect your water heater and recommend the best course of action.
6. Poor Hot Water Pressure
The last sign that will be discussed today is poor water pressure from your hot water faucets. If your water pressure is not at the standard level then you could experience a wide range of problems. Firstly, daily tasks take longer because you have to wait for the water. Secondly, washing machines and dishwashers will not function properly because the water pressure is too low. The decrease in water pressure could be caused by sediment build-up in the pipes that transport the hot water from the water heater to various parts of your home. This does not always require water heater replacement.
These are the six things that will show you it is time for water heater replacement. if you are in need of a water heater replacement then you should give Covenant Plumbing in Bloomington, IL a call. They provide a wide range of plumbing services including water heater replacement.