No household functions very well without a fully operational water heater – especially during the colder winter months! And while hot water systems tend to go unnoticed until something eventually goes wrong, there are some tell-tale signs that your water heater is on its way out, and may need replacing soon. In some instances, a basic repair or servicing will do.
1. Your hot water heater is a decade old, or making excessive noise lately
Do you know the age of your water heater? If it’s 10 years old or more, then chances are it’s overdue for replacement. While good routine maintenance can extend a hot water heater’s life, the typical system is only designed to function for around 8-12 years. Older water heaters tend to be much noisier, with random banging and rumbling sounds that you never used to hear before.
If your water heater is still working fine but you’re sure it’s due for a service to keep it in optimal condition, Simoes Plumbing performs reliable water heater servicing for affordable prices.
2. Erratic temperature changes in the water from your showerheads, bathroom faucets and kitchen sinks
Your hot water heater will have a built-in thermostat that dictates the temperature of the water. However, if you’re finding that your running water is suddenly bouncing from hot to cold, or from lukewarm to scolding hot, then the thermostat isn’t doing its job. This could be for a number of reasons, and your best avenue is to have a qualified plumber assess whether your hot water heater needs replacement.
3. Your water heater is leaking
A leaking water heater is an issue that should be addressed immediately, as it poses a potential hazard and can cause water damage to your property. Leaking tanks generally require replacing rather than repairing, but this comes down to the age and condition of your particular unit. Again, your local plumbing professional will be able to provide expert guidance on this.
4. A faulty drain valve
There’s no avoiding the fact that hot water units collect sediments and silt over time. And while manufacturers try to design water heaters to be as durable as possible against these corrosive elements, the reality is that if sediments find their way into the interior of the water tank, they can block the drain valve and prevent water from flowing out of the tank.
Blocked drain valves can be unclogged if the issue is addressed in time, but if too much time has passed there’s a good chance that it will be more cost-efficient to simply replace the system.
5. The interior of your water tank is rusted or corroded
The same way that grey hair and wrinkles are a natural sign of ageing in humans, rust and corrosion is a natural sign of ageing in hot water systems. If you notice that the water from your taps has a rusty look to it, or if you open up the actual tank and see rusty walls inside, then your hot water heater is ready for replacement.
The caveat to this is that the rust might actually be coming from the galvanised piping system, rather than originating from the tank itself. A qualified plumber will be able to determine this for you, and it’s something we look for in routine hot water heater servicing as well.
Not sure if your hot water heater needs replacement? Call Simoes Plumbing today
There’s one final reason why your water heater might be ready for replacement, and it’s simply that your household has outgrown it. If you’ve renovated/extended your home to include more faucets, sinks and showers for a growing family, then your current water heater may not be big enough, sophisticated enough or modern enough to meet your needs.
In which case, Simoes Plumbing can provide expert advice and recommendations on a suitable hot water heater for your household. We can also install it for you, with efficient turnaround and affordable pricing. Call us for a free quote and consultation regarding your hot water heater replacement needs, as well as residential plumbing services, gas fitting, gutter replacements and more.
