Imagine
this; you come back home from a long day at work, turn on the water heater, and
step into the shower to enjoy a hot, relaxing bath only to realize that the
water heater failed to deliver. Bathing with ice cold water is no fun, at least
not one the temperature starts falling day by day.
But
if your haven't changed your water heater in years, sooner or later, you’re
bound to see some telltale signs that your water heater needs to be replaced.
Hot water doesn't last as long as
it should
Insufficient
hot water is one of the first signs that your unit is failing and needs to be
replaced. After a certain age, most
standard water heaters lose capacity due to sediment buildup, which separates
water from heat sources and affects the capacity of the unit to hold water.
If
water supply is not an issue in your locality, you may want to consider buying
tankless water heater, which can provide with an instant, and endless supply of
hot water.
Your water heater is leaking
If
you see water leaks around the water heater, it could be due to the leak in the
water tank. The buildup of chemicals and contaminants may cause slight
fractures over time in the metal tank. However, such issues must be dealt with
immediately to avoid the serious risk of tank burst. A leak could cause
infrastructural damages to your home. But before you consider replacing the
entire unit, make sure there are no other leaks coming from the fittings and
pipings.
Water heater is expelling rusty
water
Another
sign that you need to buy a new water heater is rusty water. A good test to
ensure that the water heater is functioning well is to drain about five buckets
of hot water. If by the third bucket, the water from the heater is still rusty,
then the water heater needs to be replaced.
Once
the anode rod is exhausted, water and metal, will eventually create corrosion,
which will lead to rust.
Water heater is making rumbling
sounds
As
the water heater ages, sediment build up on the bottom of the tank. These
sediments get harder every time the water is heated and reheated. Such changes
will cause the heater to make rumbling and banging sounds as it heats up. This
is a sure shot sign that the water heater is at the end of its operational life
and needs to be replaced.
Be Proactive!
Most
standard water heaters last between 8 to 10 years. Whether or not a water
heating unit begins showing symptoms, you must replace it every ten years. If
you’re unsure how old your water heater is, check the manufacturing date or the
serial number on the sticker on top of the unit.
Choosing a New Unit
If
you’re replacing a water heater, you’ll quickly learn that they come in all
different shapes and sizes. It is best advised to research the option that
works for your requirement. Generally, you want to start looking at models with
a high-quality anode rod. These days most energy star water heaters use large
diameter hex anode that enhance performance by 20-30%.
