You turn off your alarm and grumble. It’s Monday again. Where did the weekend go? You stagger into the shower and turn on the water. You refuse to step under it until it’s warm. You wait. It never gets warm. What’s the problem? Five Star Plumbing advises that you likely have a problem with your water heater. If it is 10 years old or older, it is probably dying. Here are the signs that it’s time for a new water heater.
Leaking
One of the first things you should do is check your water heater. If you see water around it, it is leaking, and the water heater needs to be replaced. The water heater itself and the area around it should always be dry. If there are condensation or water pools, you’ve got a crack in the water heater tank or a problem with the fittings and connectors. After years of expanding and contracting, it’s common for water heaters to crack.
Corrosion/Rust
While you are inspecting your water heater, look for corrosion and rust, as well. If the water heater is leaking, the water around the water heater may have an orange or red hue. This means that the water heater has corroded on the inside and rust has eaten its way through the metal. If your water heater is corroded and rusted, you definitely need a new one right away.
Loud Noises
Banging and clanking noises are a precursor to a dying water heater. You may also hear popping sounds coming from the unit. This is a sign that mineral deposits have built up inside of the water heater and are corroding the heating element. It’s possible that we can flush out your water heater and clean it to resolve the problem of loud noises. If cleaning it doesn’t help, we may have to replace it.
Cold Water
Finally, the scenario we listed in the intro is a definite sign that you need a new water heater. If your water heater has died completely, you won’t get any hot water coming out of any of the taps in your home. It’s possible that you will have lukewarm water, but the water will not be hot. If you’ve noticed that your water is not as hot as it normally is lately, this is definitely a sign that your water heater is on its way out.
Five Star Plumbing in San Antonio are water heater experts. Call us today if you believe that your water heater is dying.
