Water heaters are appliances that households use on a daily basis, but few people think about them until there is an issue. Like all appliances in a home, water heaters have finite lifespans and will eventually need to be replaced. As a homeowner, the key is knowing when your home's water heater is on its last leg and has reached the end of its lifespan. Buying a new hot water heater and having it installed by a licensed plumber is not inexpensive, so recognizing the signs of a failing water heater will allow you to budget accordingly. Some of the top signs that your home's water heater doesn't have much time left include the following.
1. Age of Water Heater
Like any other appliance, the older a water heater is, the closer it is to the end of its lifespan. On average, a tank water heater can last between 8 to 12 years. Thus, if you have a water heater that is more than 12 years old, there is no way to know how much longer it will last. If you have a water heater that is significantly older than 12 years old, it is a good idea to start making plans to purchase a replacement unit and have it installed.
2. Lack of Hot Water
When your water heater is no longer producing an adequate amount of hot water, it can be frustrating. In some situations, the problem can be repaired. But when the heating element continues to fail even after being replaced and other components begin breaking down, continually having the water heater repaired does not make sense financially. If you're constantly dealing with a lack of hot water in your home and are sick of having to spend money to have your hot water heater repaired, it is probably time to replace your old water heater with a new unit that will be more reliable.
3. Leaking Water
Water heaters can leak for several reasons. If the issue is with the drain valve or the overflow pipe, you can most likely hire a plumber to make the necessary repairs. But, when the interior tank of your water heater cracks and begins leaking, it can't be fixed, and you will need to make plans to purchase a new water heater in a timely manner. A cracked interior tank will typically lead to leaking from the bottom of the water heater unit; if you suspect that the interior tank has cracked, turn off the water supply to the water heater and contact a plumbing company like Preferred Plumbing & Drain.
Share28 September 2018
My homes have always had either copper or PVC plumbing pipes. But when my plumbing system needed an overhaul last spring, I wanted a piping system for my home that I could work on myself when needed. There were a lot of good reasons to choose PEX piping, but my favorite thing about the PEX piping is that it's easy to work with, even if you're a beginner like me. Now I can make small repairs myself instead of calling the plumber every time I have a minor leak or other small problem. I still call the plumber for the big stuff, but it's more affordable now that I can take care of small issues myself. I started this blog to help others learn how they, too, can do DIY plumbing repairs at home.