You expect to get years of reliable service from your water heater, but every appliance’s life comes to an end. What signs should you look for when you suspect your water heater needs replacement?
Need to Unclog Drain or Other Signs of Sediment
Hard water or corrosion can cause sediments to accumulate inside your water heater over time. If you try to drain your water heater as part of regular maintenance, you may find that the drain valve becomes blocked by sediment. This could signal extensive internal corrosion and a sediment level that can easily damage the unit. A very noisy water heater is another sign of excessive sediment buildup. Both of these signs are strong indicators you need to replace your water heater.
Increased Frequency and Difficulty of Repairs
You may see more frequent small leaks from hoses or valves, or perhaps you encounter more significant problems, like the need to replace a thermostat. The more time and money you sink into repairing your water heater, the more that replacing it makes sense. If your unit is several years old, you may also find that it’s a bit more difficult to source replacement parts to complete repairs. This is another clear signal to upgrade to a newer model.
Signs of Age Other Than Need to Unclog Drain
If your water heater is more than 10 years old, it is at or near the end of its expected lifespan. In addition to the more frequent repairs mentioned above, an older water heater may show visible signs of its age, in the form of rust or corrosion. If there’s external rust appearing on your water heater’s tank, you are staring down the barrel of a big mess sooner or later. Once your corroded tank inevitably starts leaking, you could see flooding and water damage in your basement or utility closet. Aside from a costly appliance failure, an older water heater is likely letting you down simply because it’s unable to do as good a job as more up-to-date models. Water heater technology is just like any other tech—always developing and improving.
When it’s time to install your new water heater, call Evolution Plumbing at (480) 631-9163 for service that respects your time, home and wallet.