It is much better to invest in a new water heater than dealing with an old one which regularly fails to deliver hot water or constantly malfunctions.
Given below are some signs your water heater needs to be replaced.
Lack Of Hot Water
If you are experiencing a lack of hot water or your hot water isn’t lasting as long as it used to, you might have to get it replaced.
It can be due to reasons like a malfunctioning heating element or a broken dip tube.
The dip tube runs from the top of the water tank to its bottom. The heated water in the tube rises to the top of the tank and the pump carries it away
- to different parts of the house. If the tube is broken, cold water will rise to the top instead of hot water.
- The heating elements are responsible for supplying energy to raise the temperature of water. If they malfunction, your hot water supply will decrease.
If your water heater is very old, it is much better to replace your heater than perform any repairs.
Signs Of Rust Or Rusty Water
If you see rust pieces in the water or the water is brown, your water heater is probably corroding from the inside.
- Examine your water heater for signs of rust. If you see rust on the outer part of the heater, the metal lining inside will most probably have experienced corrosion as well.
- Localized rust spots can be due to a leaky pipe dripping water onto the tank.
- If the anode rod has been used up or the inside of your tank is rusting, it is usually manifested by brown or rusty water.
If your water heater is relatively new, you can go ahead and perform the necessary repairs. If it is quite old, you are much better off replacing it.
Your Water Heater Constantly Makes Noises
Noises coming from your water heater can be due to a variety of reasons.
- If you are not performing proper maintenance, sediments and minerals can accumulate inside the tank. When the water is heated, the minerals form a coating inside the tank called lime scale. Lime scale buildup can result in popping noises.
- If you don’t flush your water heater on a regular basis, you might hear rumbling noises from the bottom of the tank. When the water is heated, steam bubbles develop under the sediment buildup and their explosion causes noises.
Most of the time-draining or flushing your water heater can help get rid of the noise. You should learn how to drain a water heater properly.
In some cases, flushing might not get rid of the noises completely. If the damage is extensive, you should replace your water heater soon as possible.
You Experience Water Leaking From The Heater
Water leaking from your heater is a sign that something is wrong with it. You should never ignore leaks even if they are minor since minor leaks can escalate quickly to bigger ones.
- Loose inlet and outlet connections are common culprits of water leaks.
- A faulty temperature and pressure relief valve can cause excess pressure to build up inside the tank which leads to water leaks.
- An old water heater is more prone to frequent leaks than a new one. While proper maintenance can definitely help extend the life of a heater, all water heaters have an expiration date. Old water tanks crack and corrode more easily leading to leaks.
Your Water Heater Requires Frequent Repairs
Is your water heater leaking even after performing countless repairs on it? Do you constantly experience gurgling noises even though you periodically flush your heater?
If you find yourself constantly having to call the water heater technician, then I am sorry to break it to you but your water heater needs to be replaced.
It is also much cheaper to replace it than performing countless repairs which end up being very expensive.
Conclusion
Some people try to avoid replacing their heater by constantly performing repairs on their old one.
You might be thinking you are saving money but in fact, you are wasting money repairing a heater that is going to fail anyway. So go ahead and invest in a new water heater!
