Six Signs Your Water Heater Is About to Fail

Homeowners rely on hot water everyday for dishes, laundry and showers, but the water heater that provides that hot water is usually located out of sight, out of mind. It isn’t until hot water isn’t readily available that we decide to check on our water heaters and may discover that something is wrong.

Sometimes water heater repair in Glenwood Springs, CO isn’t enough to fix the problem. Water heaters aren’t designed to last forever and will need to be replaced to continue supplying hot water to your home. Here are six telltale signs that your water heater is failing:

• Old age: Most water heaters are designed to last between 10 and 15 years, but many homeowners forget to check the age, instead running an extremely outdated heater. To see how old your heater is, identify the serial number on the manufacturer sticker on the unit, which should be a string of letters and numbers. The first letter will be A through L and corresponds to the unit’s month of production. For example, the letter A would indicate January. The next two numbers specify the year of production, so 07 would indicate 2007. If you notice your water heater was manufactured over 10 years ago, it is probably time to replace it.
• Excessive repairs: Regardless of its age, if you find yourself calling for water heater repair in Glenwood Springs, CO a few times a year, you can probably save money by replacing the entire unit. Continual breakdowns are usually indicative of a large problem and a failing heater.
• Lack of hot water: A well-functioning water heater should be able to provide consistent hot water for laundry, showers and more. If you notice your hot water runs out very quickly or the water is always lukewarm instead of hot, your heater might have too much sediment buildup to provide the amount of water it is designed for and may need to be replaced.
• Rusty water: Your water should be clear and clean. If you notice murky or rusty water coming from the hot water tap, your water heater might be rusting from the inside, which can lead to leaks. To test whether the issue is with your heater or your pipes, drain a few gallons from the heater into buckets. If the water is still rusty after a few buckets are filled, the problem is likely not your pipes.
• Evidence of leaks: Water should stay inside your water heater at all times, so if you see water around the base of the heater, you probably have a leak. Small tank fractures can lead to much larger ones and major water damage, so you should replace the heater as soon as possible.
• Strange noises: Sediment builds up at the bottom of your water heater and will harden over time, causing a rumbling or bubbling sound. If you hear these kinds of noises coming from the heater, it’s probably near the end of its life, since sediment buildup will decrease its efficiency and increase the chances of leaks and breakdowns.

Without performing regular maintenance, the lifespan of your water heater will not meet its potential, and you may have to pay to replace the unit sooner than you expected. Rely on plumbing and heating professionals from Garrett Hansen Plumbing Inc. to assist you with water heater repair in Glenwood Springs, CO. Call today for a free estimate!

Categorised in: Water Heater Repair

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