Water heaters can last a long time, especially if they’re well-looked after. Unfortunately, no amount of care and maintenance can make them last forever, though. At some point, your water heater is going to reach a point where you’re going to need to replace it with a new one. When that happens, it’s a good idea to be able to recognize the symptoms that indicate your water heater is getting towards the end of its life. The faster you can tell that your system is failing, the faster you can get it replaced before it completely fails. If your water heater is displaying the following signs, it’s very likely time to install a new one.
Trouble Meeting Normal Demand
If you’re taking three hour-long showers (and we sincerely hope you’re not) then you might be used to running out of hot water at some point. For most people, though, it’s pretty rare to exhaust the water heater without an unusually high amount of demand. As a water heater gets older, though, it will become less and less able to cope with the strain of normal operations. If your water heater seems to be having issues providing even a moderate amount of hot water, then it’s possible the system is getting close to the end of its life. You should have a technician examine it to make sure, either way.
High Repair Frequency
Water heaters break down every once in a while, even with preventive maintenance. However, your water heater really shouldn’t be breaking down multiple times a year. If that’s happening, it means that the wear and tear on the system has reached a point where parts of it are beginning to fail in groups. This will only get worse as the system ages, eventually culminating in the water heater breaking down permanently. If your water heater is breaking down multiple times a year, you should consider installing a new system before your current one completely dies.
Old Age
With regular repairs and maintenance, you can expect your water heater to last anywhere between 10-15 years. Once it gets older than that, it’s going to start accumulating issues similar to those we’ve already covered above. The older the system gets, the more costly and difficult it’s going to get to maintain. Very quickly, the system will reach a point where it is simply not worth it to keep it running. If your water heater is older than 15 years, we highly recommend that you talk to a professional about replacing the system. It’s better to do it now than to continue to pay higher costs in both efficiency and repairs for however-many more years your current water heater may stick around.
Performance Plumbing offers a full range of water heater installation services in St. Charles, MO. If you need a new water heater installed in your home, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professional technicians. We’ll make sure that you get the most out of your new water heater.