When to know it is time to replace your hot water tank

It may come as a surprise to some homeowners when their hot water tank fails. Not all signs of a failing heater will mean puddles of water on the floor, but there are still warnings. Emergency repairs and sudden replacements are both costly expenses that can be avoided if you know what to look for.

Acclaimed! Heating, Cooling & Furnace Cleaning is here to help ensure that nothing goes wrong with your hot water tank in Edmonton. If you notice any signs your heater is failing, hire help for repairs or plan to replace it with a new model.

Your heater is old

Generally, water heaters have a lifespan of 10 years before they should be replaced. Waiting to replace an old water heater invites the risk of leaks or breaks that can cost even more in damages. To check your water heater, look at the manufacturer label. Most labels have the month and year the heater was manufactured. If it is older than or getting close to 10 years, start thinking about a replacement. Aside from preventing breaks, newer models are more efficient and offer better long-term savings.

There is a rumbling sound

Strange noises from a water heater should never be ignored, no matter the age of the heater. Sediment buildup, typically from age, is caused when the sediment is heated and reheated, moisture in it turns into steam and blasts into the water. This what causes that strange sound. Over time, the sediment will build up and harden. Not only does this make the unit less efficient, but it can also quickly cause damage to the heater. Leaks can occur, or the metal will become brittle from the sediment and develop a hole. If the heater breaks and floods, this can cause a major restoration needed and all too often when you are way. Any strange noises should be looked at by a professional furnace company as soon as possible.

Rusty or smelly water

When you turn on the taps, are you greeted with rusty water instead of clear and clean water? Or is the water clear but smells like rotten eggs? Both of these can be signs of water heater problems. An easy way to check is to see if both the hot and cold water have the same problem. If yes, it’s a water source problem. Just the hot water means the problem is the water heater and the same if you fill three or four buckets of hot water, and it’s all rusty. That signifies the heater is rusting from the inside out, which is both a health and safety issue. Don’t wait for the problem to worsen, but immediately replace your water heater with an Edmonton furnace company.

Consider the risk of natural gas

Water heaters that run on natural gas especially need to be properly maintained and replaced if needed. The risk otherwise of an unmaintained gas heater is the possibility of carbon monoxide leaks, similar to gas furnace Edmonton models. Not only is it odourless and undetectable, but it’s also extremely deadly. Most water heaters use gas and have a lifespan of about 10 years before they need to be replaced. If it needs constant repairs or shows signs of fault, have it inspected to make sure it’s safe. You should have it replaced if it is unsafe.

Not enough hot water

Have you noticed that you’re not getting as much hot water compared to what you used to get? This is also a sign your hot water heater is starting to fail. Sediment and rust at the bottom of the tank can block the heater from getting at the water in the tank properly. There is also a dip tube that brings the cold water from your plumbing system to the bottom of your tank so it can be heated. If there is a crack in the tube, the cold water is escaping before it reaches the bottom. It will need to be replaced. Also, a faulty thermostat can also be the culprit of suddenly not having enough hot water.

If you detect any of these warning signs, don’t wait to replace your water heater. Contact Acclaimed! Heating, Cooling & Furnace Cleaning today for a new hot water heater.

ADD COMMENT

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *