Water Heater Issues 101
A water heater on its last limb can lead to ice cold showers, or at its worst, thousands of dollars in water damage. This is one of the reasons why Four Star Plumbing stresses that homeowners take extra precaution when they have an aging water heater. Many water leaks can start small & cause massive damage over a long period of time when unnoticed. In fact, Consumer Affairs recently wrote an article stating that water heaters make up the leading source of water damage claims according to home insurance companies.
What are 5 signs that it may be time to replace your water heater?
Age
Water heaters hit their life expectancy at around 10 years; in California it could be closer to 6 to 8 years due to the aggressiveness of our water. Expect this and be proactive by replacing your water heater around the estimated times. A good way to know how your water heater is performing is to call Four Star Plumbing out to inspect it. We will flush your water heater to remove sediment build up and ensure that everything is working as intended so that no surprises seem imminent.
Leaks
Whether your water heater is brand new or an older model, if you see any water leaking from it, it is time to call the professionals. Water damage should not to be taken lightly as it can lead to mold, corrosion, wall & structure damage as well as potential health risks. Signs that your water may start to leak or has already been leaking slightly would be corrosion or moisture around the base of the tank. or from any pipes leading to & from it. Pay attention to any dripping sounds when near your water heater.
Water Temperatures
If you notice your hot water is not as hot as it used to be or it is getting colder faster, it may be time to replace the burner assembly. When the water heater’s burner starts to fail, it can lead to cold water spurts. While our technicians can replace most of these heating elements, it is usually more cost effective to just replace your water heater.
Visible rust or metallic tastes
If you notice any visible rust or metallic tastes in your water, it is a sign that your tank is corroding internally. If this occurs it is best to call out your local experts, Four Star Plumbing to have your water heater inspected & tested.
Abnormal noises
Such as rumbling, popping, banging, or whistling
While there can be many underlying reasons causing your water heater to make alarming sounds (such as high water pressure, thermal expansion, or a water valve not being completely open), the noises you hear could possibly be sediment build up inside the tank. Sediment is a thick layer mixture of calcium bicarbonate & lime scale build up inside the tank which is due to hard water. This sediment slows heat transfer & overheats the bottom of the tank. When the water heater overheats, it weakens the steel and damages the glass lining, accelerating the decline of the tank altogether. This is why it is very important to flush your water heater yearly or bi-yearly to avoid sediment build up.
Is your water heater showing one or several of these issues? Check out our Information on water heaters and call us for an appointment.
If you own a Tankless water heater, you will be following a much different set of signs & symptoms of issues. We will touch on this in a later article, so please stay tuned.
