Hot water is a necessity in every home. You use it to bathe, do laundry, wash dishes – hot water makes daily life comfortable. That’s why it’s crucial your water heater always works properly. You don’t want to be stuck with a broken unit that leaves you without hot water!
To avoid water heater problems, keep an eye out for signs that your unit is failing. This article will explain the indicators that your Albuquerque water heater needs repairs or replacement.
I’ll also cover how long water heaters typically last, and when you should start budgeting for a new one.
The Average Lifespan of a Water Heater
On average, a traditional water heater lasts between 8-12 years. So once your unit hits the 8 year mark, it’s a good idea to start preparing for a replacement.
As a water heater ages, it becomes more prone to problems like:
- Sediment buildup in the tank
- Corrosion and rust
- Loose fittings
- Too much internal pressure
While age is a factor, other issues can cause a water heater to fail too. Inside the tank are magnesium anode rods, which help prevent corrosion and rust. But over time, the anode rods also corrode. This corrosion can cause leaks in the tank.
Keep reading to learn the specific signs that your Albuquerque water heater is failing and needs service.
10 Warning Signs Your Water Heater is Failing
When problems start to develop, you’ll notice a drop in your water heater’s performance. It will take longer to heat up water, and you may not have as much hot water available.
Watch for these 10 signs that your unit needs repairs or replacement:
- Strange Noises
Loud banging, popping, or rumbling coming from the water heater often means there is sediment buildup in the bottom of the tank. Sediment buildup interferes with the unit’s ability to heat water properly. Strange noises signal that heat failure could occur soon.
- Inconsistent or Lower Water Temperature
As problems arise, your water heater loses heating capacity. You may notice the hot water temperature fluctuating more than normal. Or the water may never get as hot as it should.
Inconsistent water temperatures or a lack of very hot water point to issues with the water heater. It’s important to address these problems right away, before they get worse.
- Lower Water Pressure
A decent water pressure from your hot water taps is expected. But if the water pressure drops, that’s a sign of trouble with your unit. The most likely cause is sediment accumulation in the tank.
- Rusty or Discolored Water
No one wants brown or rust-colored water coming out of their faucets! Discolored water obviously means there is rust buildup occurring inside the water heater.
Rust buildup leads to corrosion, which causes tanks to fail faster. The anode rods are supposed to prevent corrosion, but over time they wear out.
- Running Out of Hot Water Quickly
If you find yourself running out of hot water much faster than normal, pay attention. This decreased capacity to heat water indicates your unit is on its way out. The problem will only worsen, so replacement planning should start.
- Leaks
Water heaters are designed to remain full of water and airtight. If you notice any drips or leaks coming from the tank, immediate replacement is needed. Even small leaks signal serious issues.
Unaddressed leaks lead to water damage, mold growth, and other problems. Make it part of your routine maintenance to inspect for leaks. Never ignore a leak coming from your water heater.
- Frequent Repairs
Occasional repairs are expected as a water heater ages. But if you find yourself needing frequent fixes, that’s a red flag. Each repair often leads to new issues cropping up. Repairs can also worsen existing problems.
If repairs are happening too often, replacement is the wiser financial decision over continually fixing an aging unit.
- Age of the Water Heater
As I mentioned earlier, once a water heater hits 8-12 years, problems become more likely. Repairing an older unit often means dealing with new issues popping up constantly.
Instead of sinking money into an aging water heater, replacement brings you uninterrupted hot water without worrying about looming problems.
- Weird Odors from the Hot Water
Strange smells coming from your hot water lines and taps may indicate bacteria growing inside the water heater tank. With the warm, moist environment, bacteria can thrive.
If you smell rotten eggs or sewage odors, bacteria are likely the culprit. Maintaining temperatures above 120°F helps control bacteria growth. Rust and sediment also encourage bacteria.
You can try flushing the tank to eliminate minor bacteria. But significant bacteria growth necessitates a new water heater.
- Cloudy or Discolored Water
Along with strange odors, cloudy or discolored water points to bacteria accumulation in the tank. The water may also appear foamy or have floating sediment. While not an immediate health threat, bacteria in the water heater should be addressed.
Can an Old Water Heater Make You Sick?
Several of these failing water heater symptoms don’t just cause household annoyances. They can also threaten your health and safety.
As mentioned, rotten egg or sewage odors mean dangerous bacteria growth inside the tank. The bacteria can eventually spread through your home’s water pipes and contaminate drinking water. Always avoid drinking or cooking with bad smelling hot water.
Leaks also pose health risks by causing structural and mold damage. Areas with mold can aggravate allergies and respiratory illness.
Finally, sediment buildup inside the tank degrades your water heater’s performance. But it also allows harmful chemicals to enter your water supply through corrosion.
So don’t ignore the warning signs of a failing unit! Water heater problems can negatively impact your home, wallet, and health if left unaddressed.
When to Call a Plumber for Water Heater Replacement
Hopefully this article helped you understand the typical lifespan of a water heater and recognize when failure is approaching. If you notice any of these 10 warning signs, your Albuquerque home likely needs a new unit installed.
Here at Day & Night Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we’re your local water heater installation experts. When your old unit is showing any of these troubling symptoms, call us at 505-974-5797. We’ll inspect your water heater and help determine whether replacement or repairs are the right solution.
Rely on our experienced plumbers for:
- Water heater inspections
- Draining and flushing old tanks
- Same or next day water heater installation
- Professional permits and paperwork
We service all makes and models, and stand behind our workmanship and parts with warranties. Contact Day & Night Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to schedule affordable Albuquerque water heater replacement or repairs!
