Replacing Your Water Heater: How to Know It's Time
Nothing beats the level of comfort that comes with taking hot showers. That's why hot water systems are among the essential equipment to have in your home. However, just like many appliances, hot water systems may develop an issue down the line. Depending on what the issue is, you may need to repair or replace the system. Replacing your water heater can be a costly affair. Therefore, it's vital to budget well for this, and that's why knowing when to replace your water heater is crucial. Besides old age, here are other ways to find out that it's time to replace your water heater.
Hot Water Has Become Insufficient
Reduced heating capacity is one of the significant indicators that you need to replace your water heater. First, you may notice that your hot showers don't last as long as they used to. Generally, sediments will build up inside your hot water tank. While flushing and draining the tank can help deal with the problem, not all sediments are flushed out. Over time, the sediments will take up a significant amount of space and replace the heat source in your tank. Consequently, this will reduce your heater's capacity to provide your home with hot water.
Your Hot Water Appears Rusty
Rusty hot water is another sign to watch out for. Most hot water tanks are made from steel. Since the material is usually susceptible to rusting, hot water tanks are typically fitted with a metal rod (sacrificial anode rod), to prevent corrosion. The rod acts by taking up the corrosion in place of the tank. Over time, however, the metal rod becomes exhausted, reducing its ability to prevent corrosion.
When this happens, water from your hot water taps will start appearing rusty or red-brown. Worth noting, however, is that the rust can occur in both your hot water tank and water pipes. To determine where the problem is, turn on both your hot and cold water taps. If your hot water system is the culprit, the rusty water will only flow from your hot water taps. If the water pipes are the problem, the rusty water will flow from your cold water taps as well.
Your Hot Water System Is Noisy
A noisy, hot water system is usually caused by sediment build-up at the bottom of the heater. Cracking, knocking, popping and rumbling sounds are some of the noises to listen out for. You will most likely hear these noises when the water is heating. Too much build-up of sediments will reduce the efficiency of the system and cause more damage to your heater.
Contact a local plumber to learn more about hot water replacement.