You might be amazed at how easy it is to forget about your water heater’s age, or how difficult it can be to identify an issue before it creates damage.
There are several pointers that you can leverage to monitor the condition of your water heater. You’ll want to be on the lookout for them to keep your equipment in the top condition.
Here are five likely signs it could be time to replace your water heater in Charleston.
1. It’s Starting to Show Its Age
Similar to the other important appliances inside your home, your water heater has a clear life expectancy. When it approaches the end, it will work much less efficiently and could be costlier to repair than replacing it.
The average water heater life span is around six to eight years. You won’t want your water heater to be working for longer than 10 years, since this may create expensive damage in your residence if it leaks.
There’s always a potential for your water heater to experience issues before this time, so pay attention to anything that feels odd.
2. Rust is Starting to Show
Rust is generally a symptom your water heater needs to be inspected. Rust is corrosive and can rapidly spread to other components. This can cause a leak or other problems. If you see a little on the tank or pipes, call a licensed professional.
3. There’s No More Warm Water
If your water heater is struggling to heat water, that’s an obvious sign an upgrade is required. Your heater may not be able to provide any hot water because of buildup. The tank capacity might also be insufficient for the volume of water your house needs.
This is particularly true for larger households. The faster you run out of hot water, the more important it is to consider getting a new one.
4. You’re Hearing Odd Noises
Your water heater will make some noise. If you start to notice clanging noises coming from the tank on a routine basis, that could suggest a component isn’t tight.
Strange sounds can also mean there’s debris building up on the tank’s base. Too much buildup may make your water heater work harder and increase your heating and cooling bills as a result.
Listen carefully if you begin to note any unusual noises, and give us a call immediately.
5. Unexpected Leaks
If you see puddles or dark spots near your water heater, it’s a good time to think about buying an updated unit right away.
These leaks are usually a result of small cracks in the tank itself. The longer you put it off, the more likely you’ll run into an emergency when the tank fails. (You can stop a messy tank leak down the road by getting a tankless water heater, which doesn’t keep water.)
Water damage is pricey to repair and a trouble you shouldn’t have to fret about.
If your water heater is past its prime, or in serious need of pro repairs, contact the Pardee Service Experts technicians at 843-410-6103. You could also set up an appointment by contacting us online.