When it’s been a hot day, or when you finish a tough workout, a cold shower is welcomed. But when you are surprised by icy cold water hitting you when you were relying on a lukewarm shower, it’s a different story. In this former scenario, you probably wouldn’t even give much thought to how your water heater is performing, but the second scenario would make it pretty apparent that something is amiss.
Of course, a lack of hot water is a big sign that your water heater needs to be replaced, but it’s not the only sign, which we’ll explore below. When it comes down to it, whatever is going on with your water heater, if it’s not performing up to par then you want to address it ASAP. Read on as we uncover some key signs that you should probably consider a water heater upgrade soon.
3 Signs That Your Water Heater Is About to Give Out
If you’re starting to notice something amiss with your water heater, be sure that you’re on the lookout for these signs. If you pick up on one or more, give our team a call right away!
1. The Water Heater Is Old
No matter which home comfort system we’re talking about, they all have an average lifespan and expiration date. If your water heater is between the ages of 15 and 20 years old, it’s a good idea to start considering replacement now. Even if your water heater is performing “okay,” upgrading to one of a today’s modern water heaters could end up saving you a lot of energy and subsequently help reduce your utility bills.
2. There’s a Leak in the Tank of your System
Leaks do not always spell doom for your water heater system. However, a leak that’s in the tank of the system is definitely not something you can repair. If a leak has occurred within the tank, then it’s time to make an upgrade–and fast! Though a water heater purchase isn’t something you want to rush into uninformed–so be sure to call our team to get informed on your options.
3. Visible Rust or Corrosion
Water heater tanks (and tankless systems) are designed in a way to resist rust and corrosion, but they can’t do this forever. At some point, the water heater may begin rusting from inside the tank, and at that point, you’ll have no choice but to get a new system. Now, tank systems do have a component that helps with this, called the anode rod. This component is designed specifically to absorb rust and corrosion that could otherwise start eating away at the inside of the tank. It’s important that you schedule routine water heater maintenance to have this anode rod checked and replaced on a routine basis (its lifespan is not as long as the water heater itself). But even this won’t hold off insidious rust forever, and you will eventually need to upgrade your water heater.
Contact Performance Plumbing when you need professional plumbing in Clayton, MO!