Is it time to replace my water heater?
When well maintained, a water heater can last for many years. Homeowners can come and go and not need to replace their water heater. Eventually, water heaters need to be replaced at some point. When it first starts to fail you will probably think it just needs to be repaired but, there are warning signs that you will need to replace your water heater that you should be aware of.
Age
By simply knowing the age of your water heater you can come to the conclusion that it is time to have it replaced. Some water heaters that are well maintained can last around 15- 20 years. However, it is suggested to have a water heater replaced if it is over 10 years old. If you know your water heater is around this age, you will find that it will start declining in the upcoming years and it will be a good idea to have it replaced. Not sure how old your water heater is? Take a look at the serial number. The letter at the beginning of the number is code for the month of the year. (for example, G, D and J are the seventh, fourth, and tenth months of the year). The first two numbers following the letter are the year it was made. Voila! You figured out how old your water heater is.
The water heater starts leaking
If you start seeing water around the floor surrounding your water heater, there is a good chance you have a leak. When a water heater gets older, the metal in the tank will expand. This happens after years of heating cycles. When the tank expands, tiny fractures can form. When these fractures expand enough water will start leaking through. If this starts to happen, you know its time to find a replacement.
Your water looks rusty
As your water heater ages, the tank will start to deteriorate and rust. This rust gets into your hot water and can cause it to have a brown color to it. If you see rust in your water, it doesn’t always mean it is coming from your hot water heater. There is a simple test you can do to see if the rust is coming from your water heater tank. Turn on your cold-water tap. If it is not discolored but your hot water is, you will know that the problem lies in your water heater.
Your water isn’t getting hot
Have you noticed that you have to crank your faucet even further in your shower to achieve the desired temperature? If so, it might be time to get a new water heater. With time the temperature will start to go from lukewarm to cold.
Should you go tankless when replacing?
After you come to the conclusion that you need to replace your water heater you may want to consider going tankless. There are many pros to buying a tankless water heater. A tankless water heater eliminates the traditional water storage tank and only warm-up water only when you need it. This not only gives you endless hot water, but it is immensely energy efficient and will help bring down your energy bill. With this type of water heater, you will find that your water temperature is more consistent than a water heater with a tank. One downside of a tankless water heater though is if your power gets knocked out you will find that your water will immediately get cold once there is no power. This is something to consider in South Florida since hurricanes are prevalent. A water heater with a tank can keep a tank full of warm water to use in the event of power outages.
We provide professional plumbing services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients throughout Southern Florida. We provide fast response time, competitive rates, and reliable service. Need A Plumber to service ore replace your water heater? Schedule an appointment today and call us at 954-445-6443 or use our contact form.
Need A Plumber
We provide professional plumbing services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients throughout Southern Florida. We provide fast response time, competitive rates, and reliable service. Are you considering a whole home water filtration system? Need A Plumber is an authorized dealer for Aquasana. For more information on Aquasana and to schedule a consultation, Click Here of call us at 954-445-6443.
