Your water heater won’t last forever, especially if you have hard water. You need to know the signs that your water heater is nearing the end of its life and your options for replacements. As more signs of failure appear, the appliance loses the ability to properly heat your water. When this happens, it’s time to call one of our professionals at Plumbing Concepts.
Signs of a Failing Water Heater
Your water heater may stop heating water suddenly. However, in many cases, the demise of the unit will happen gradually.
First, you may notice that hot water has discoloration to it when it first begins to flow. If you let the water run for a few minutes, the orange, rusty color will clear. However, this rust color indicates a layer of sediment buildup in the bottom of the tank. This sediment contaminates the water and reduces the efficiency of the water heater.
Next, you might find that you cannot get water as hot as you used to. Electric water heaters may have mineral buildups over their heating elements, which prevents them from properly warming the water. Gas-powered water heaters could have sediment in the tank that keeps them from getting the water as hot as possible.
Lastly, you may hear unusual noises such as cracking or popping from your water heater. These sounds happen when the minerals at the bottom of the tank boil and crack off.
Why Water Heaters Fail
Water heaters typically fail due to age or the effects of hard water. Even in the best conditions, most models do not last longer than ten years. If you have a decades-old water heater, you need to replace it. Leaks in the unit could cause water damage or flooding in your home.
If you have hard water, the lifespan of your water heater will decrease. Any signs of reduced in efficiency in your water heater, regardless of age, should warrant a call to us at Plumbing Concepts for repair or replacement of your appliance.
What to Do When Your Water Heater Gives Out
If you have a failing water heater, contact us at Plumbing Concepts. We can replace your water heater with a newer, more efficient tank model or a highly efficient tankless option. To get the most out of your water heater, consider a whole-home water softening system to lessen the impact of hard city water on your plumbing appliances.
Our plumbing professionals at Plumbing Concepts can help you with installing these water treatment systems, too. Let us know what we can do to make your home better by calling us today at (951) 520-8590.
