Did you know that most people don’t give their water heater one thought until it stops working? It’s true. Many just view it as a giant statue hanging in the corner. When it stops working, however, we scramble to fix it fast. Any shutdown disturbs our daily routines.
To avoid the drama of water heater replacement, there are a few signs that help you know when to replace your water heater.
Sign #1: Look at the Age of Your Water Heater
The average life span of a water heater is 10 to 12 years, with gas water heaters lasting longer than electric ones. However, most water heaters are only warrantied for five to 10 years.
Once the fifth year mark comes around, you should conduct regular checks. The first thing to check is how long your supply of hot water lasts. Does it shoot out cold water instead of hot water? Does hot water run out before you complete your regular shower? If it starts showing these signs, consider looking into replacement heaters.
Sign #2: Quality of Water From Your Water Heater
Is the water discolored? Does the water look rusted? If you notice this, call a plumbing company right away. Don’t wait. A plumbing company has the knowledge and experience to fix it. With the rust issue, if you can fix the problem before you have to replace it, it will save money and time. This is why it pays to perform regular maintenance on your water heater.
Sign #3: Look for Puddles Around Your Hot Water Heater
Are there puddles or pools of water around the base of the tank or streams of water running from the tank to a floor drain? This is a big sign that something is wrong. Take a look at what is going on around the heater itself. There may be a major leak that requires immediate replacement of your water heater. If a plumber looks into the problem when the puddle is still small, it will save a lot of pain and frustration later.
Whenever you see a puddle, call someone. Never try to handle it alone. This might cause more problems. A bad water heater spells disaster for everything else in the house. A plumber is contracted and licensed to professionally handle your plumbing emergencies.
Contact Mike Wilson Plumbing now at 804 641 6570, we are available to answer all your questions and be the solution you are looking for.