The water heater in your house is a fairly critical appliance. It gives you hot water to bathe, wash dishes, and do laundry. Water heaters are pretty critical to everyday life. Yet, they are complicated things.
So what should you do if you suspect your water heater is going bad? Here are 10 signs to look for that can let you know if your water heater needs repairs or replacement.
How Long Does a Water Heater Last?
Water heaters have an expected lifespan of 8 to 12 years, with tankless systems lasting even longer. If you have an old water heater that has clocked a good 8 years or more, it’s time to start planning about a replacement. The lifespan of a water heater is influenced by a few factors:
- Water heater type
- Quality of the unit
- Regular maintenance
Why Has a Hot Water Heater Stopped Working?
Your water heater may need to be replaced, not because of age alone. Here are a few things that can trigger your hot water heater to malfunction:
- Sediment build-up
- Rust and corrosion
- Loose fittings
- Too high pressure
Water heaters come equipped with magnesium-style anode rods that are designed to help prevent rust and corrosion. As the anode is no longer protected from corrosion, though, rust can now corrode various metallic components within the heater, and the entire unit can start to leak.
Symptoms of a Failing Water Heater
It is advisable to periodically check your water heater so that your hot water heater can easily maximize performance. Here are some red flags that your hot water heater is failing:
Your Water Heater Sounds Funny
A water heater with strange noises may be an indication that the water heater is starting to fail. This can sound like popping, banging, or even rumbling. Noise from your hot water heater are typically due to sediment buildup on the bottom of the tank. In doing so, it leads the unit to overheat, and eventually fail.
Reduced or Fluctuating Water Temperature
When water temperature from the hot water heater is not as reliable as it once was, or simply lower than it used to be, then this may mean that the unit is starting to fail. Temperature irregularities are not something to have checked out as soon as possible, as they can be indicative of a much larger problem.
Low Water Pressure
If you have good water pressure from your cold-water faucets but low water pressure from your hot water faucets, it could be a sign of sediment build-up in your hot water heater. Over time, sediment will accumulate at the bottom of the tank, which can cause multiple issues.
Discolored or Rusty Water
If you begin to notice that the hot water coming out is yellow, discolored or rusty, this is a sign that the anode rod in your water heater tank is starting to fail. The anode rod protects the inside of the tank from corrosion, so if it’s failing, it’s just a matter of time before the tank itself starts to rust.
Hot Water Shortage
If you’re running out of hot water faster than normal, it’s usually an indication that your water heater is nearing its end of life. When water heaters begin to fail, their capacity to heat water diminishes, leading to shorter showers and less available hot water in general.
Water Heater Leaks
Time to replace your water heater? If your water heater is leaking, it’s time to replace it. Water heaters are meant to be airtight, which means that any leaking means something has gone wrong. So, it becomes very essential to check the water heater and valves frequently for leakage, as leaking water heaters can lead to extensive damage to your home. If your hot water heater is leaking, immediately turn it off and call a professional to inspect it.
Frequent Repairs
If you are constantly getting your water heater repaired, then it’s a good sign that you need to replace it. With every repair comes the possibility of new problems arising or old problems deteriorating. If you are repairing your hot water heater often, it can be less expensive in the long run to replace your water heater.
Short Age of Hot Water Heater
As mentioned above, the standard water heater lifespan is around 8 to 12 years. If your water heater is nearing or past this age, it may be time to replace it. Over time, if sediment accumulates in the tank, a layer will solidify at the bottom.
This leads to several challenges, such as lower efficiency and ultimately an inoperable water heater. The nice thing is that regular maintenance will actually extend the lifespan of your water heater.
Higher Energy Bills
As your water heater gets older, its energy efficiency will decline due to sediment buildup in the water heater. The sediment in a hot water heater is from the minerals in the water. Eventually these minerals accumulate at the bottom of the tank where they cause a barrier for heat transfer throughout the tank. This helps prevent your water heater from running as efficiently as it used to.
A water heater aging past its prime will cost you in energy bills, so if you observe a sudden increase in energy bills, it could stem from an ailing water heater. You can prolong your water heater’s lifespan by draining it every six months to remove the sediment.
Water Smells Odd
A weird smell coming from your water is typically due to bacteria that grows in the tank. If you maintain your water heater temperature below 120 degrees, bacteria will love the warm, moist environment. Rust and corrosion can also create bacteria. You can typically eliminate bacteria by draining and treating your water. If the problem continues, you may need to replace the water heater.
