You know what would be great? If all the appliances and equipment we use in our homes to maintain and improve comfort lasted forever, with no need for repair or replacement. Unfortunately, this is just not the case, and your water heater definitely isn’t an exception to the rule. This system goes through a lot of wear and tear, especially when you consider just how much use it gets each and every day to help you clean, bathe, wash clothes and dishes, and more.
You need your water heater to work flawlessly every day, all year long. This is why it’s important to keep up on maintenance and repairs. But when are repairs just not enough anymore? At what point to do you admit you need a new water heater? We could tell you “when it has reached 20 years old” and leave it at that. But this will really depend on how well cared for your water heater is, as well as what the manufacturer’s expected lifespan is for the system. Read on to learn some signs that it is, in fact, time to replace your tank water heater.
The Tank Is Leaking
If the tank portion of your water heater is leaking, it doesn’t mean anything good! Corrosion happens when rust starts to take a hold of your water heater, and there’s no stopping it once it begins. Your water heater does have a number of safeguards in place to prevent corrosion, like a glass tank liner and an anode rod designed specifically to absorb rust. These components have to be properly maintained in order to hold up, otherwise your water heater might give out on you much sooner than expected.
We’d like to make it clear, however, that this is only the case if the leak is actually coming from the tank and not another component such as the drain valve or the temperature-and-pressure valve. In either of these cases, it’s possible you may just need a valve replacement. The best way to know for sure is to contact a pro.
You’re Running Out of Hot Water Too Soon
Another indication that your water heater is failing is if it can’t provide enough hot water for your entire home. If you’ve got two showers and a 5-person household, for instance, two people should reasonably be able to successfully finish overlapping showers without worrying about running out of hot water. This isn’t always the case, though.
Your water heater might not be the right size for your home if you’ve always run out of hot water in the morning. So, if your water heater is fairly new and you’re seeing this problem, it may be time to talk to our pros about what your options for upgrading or adding to your system is. Be sure to always pick a qualified contractor for your water heater services to ensure it’s properly matched to you and your specific needs for your home.
To get in touch with an expert plumber in University City, MO, contact Performance Plumbing today.