We get it here at Five Star Plumbing. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell whether your hot water heater is dying or there is something else wrong. We can replace your standing hot water heater when it goes bad, or we can install a tankless hot water heater if you’d like to upgrade. Here are signs that your standing hot water heater is going bad, and if we can’t fix the problem, we can get you a new one.
Age
The number one sign that you need a new water heater is your current water heater’s age. On average, a water heater will last about 10 years. If you have a large family that uses a ton of hot water, your water heater may not make it to that milestone. If you have a small family, your water heater may last longer. A good gauge, however, is a standing water heater has a 10-year lifespan.
Clanging Sounds
Water heater tanks make some noise, but you shouldn’t hear them banging, clanging, clunking, or groaning. Loud noises indicate that too many minerals have built up inside of the water heater tank, and this is one of the ways that these units go bad. The sediment can even eat through the water heater’s tank, especially if the moisture oxidizes and rusts the inside of the tank.
Dirty Water
One way to tell if your water heater has rust in the bottom of it is dirty water flowing into your home. If you see cloudy or orangey hot water flowing through the taps, you’ve got a dying water heater. The orange color indicates there is rust inside the tank, and this can spell trouble beyond the gross water flowing through the faucets. This can also create water heater…
Leaks
Your water heater might develop a slow leak, or the worst-case scenario is it will flood your home or garage, depending on where the water heater tank is located. Even if it is barely leaking, you need to replace the water heater right away. Leaks are a sign that your water heater is on its way out, and continuing to use it, will leave you with water damage.
Cold Water
Finally, a surefire sign that your water heater is dying is cold water. If you have lukewarm or cold water no matter how high you turn on the hot water, the water heater is no longer able to heat up the water to your desired temperature. You might notice that your water isn’t as hot as it used to be. This is the first sign that you’re on your way to cold water flowing into your home.
Five Star Plumbing strives to be the best plumber in San Antonio, TX. Give us a call today if you need to have your water heater inspected and repaired or replaced.
