Here’s How to Spot a Failing Water Heater

Sometimes, you just can’t put off buying a new hot water heater any longer.

To see if it’s time for a new model, take note if any of these 4 things are happening with your water heater. If so, you need to upgrade.

1. Water Is A Strange Color

This is a telltale sign that your hot water heater is on its way out. If the water in your shower has been consistently running with a yellowish or reddish tint, it’s time to think about an upgrade.

This is happening because your heater is starting to rust.

Before you buy a replacement, drain about ten gallons of water from the heater. If after that, the water is still coming out with a strange color, it’s time to move on.

2. It’s Just Old

We all have to go sometime, and your tankless water heater is no different. Generally, you want to begin to think about replacing your water heater once the ten-year mark rolls around.

Sometimes, electric hot water heaters can last a bit longer than their gas counterparts. If you’re looking to extend the lift of your water heater, you’ll need to perform regular draining.

You’ll also need to keep the area around the heater clear. This won’t just make your heater last longer, it’s also a safety feature. A failure to properly clean your water heater (or any other heating appliance in your home) accounts for nearly 30% of all home heating fires.

To determine the age of your hot water heater, check the serial number.

3. Water Is Collecting Around The Heater’s Base

If you notice a pool of water around the base of your heater, it’s likely gotten a crack. This crack will only get larger over time.

Still, make sure that the leak is truly coming from the tank itself before you get a replacement, instead of the fittings or in the pipe that connects the tank.

4. It’s Making Crazy Noises

If your water heater sounds like your teenager’s attempt to play the drums, it’s not just an annoyance. It could be a sign that it’s time to invest in a new model.

This happens because, with age, debris builds up at the bottom of the tank. This debris gets heated by the tank, and eventually, it hardens. This makes it pretty impossible to clean off.

Even if you decide to keep the water heating going for a few more months and just deal with the noise, keep in mind that this will make things much less efficient for you. Translation: your energy bill is going to be higher.

Since your water heater already accounts for between 15-24% of all the energy used by your home, any steps you can take to lower your use will make a big difference in your bill!

Ask yourself if it’s really worth it.

Is Your Water Heater On Its Way Out?

If it’s showing you any or all of these four main signs a few times a week, then the answer is likely yes.

This just means it’s time for you to take advantage of the newer and more energy-efficient options the market has to offer.