All of us make use of a hot water heater. It allows us to take warm showers, wash dishes, cook….it is pretty much an invaluable device that sits largely ignored and unappreciated in our garage or basement. At least until something goes wrong with it, that is.
Most of the time, we don’t know there is a problem with our hot water heater until we discover water all over the floor surrounding it, indicating that it has sprung a leak. Forget repairing it, your only option is going to be replacement. Depending on what you need, a new water heater can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars into the thousands.
Water heaters typically last about ten years or so, so replacing them is a fact of life, however annoying it may be (I don’t know about you, but I can think of several things I’d much rather spend money on than a water heater replacement). If there is a measure of good news, it’s that there are things you can look for to determine if your water heater is on its last legs, allowing you to avoid being caught by surprise and making plans accordingly.
1)
Less Hot Water – maybe you’re used to taking long, hot showers, but you find that the hot water isn’t lasting as long as it used to. This may be a sign that the gas burner or electric elements aren’t in proper working order. If the tank is new, you can look into replacing these elements, but if it has more than 7 years on it, you should go ahead and replace the tank.
2)
Dirty Water – if your water is coming out looking dirty, that may be a sign of sediment build up in and around the tank.
3)
Rust – If you see signs of rust around the bottom of the tank, water marks going down the side of the tank, rusty tank legs, or water on or under the tank, these are visible signs of a tank in its death throes.
4)
Noises Off – tanks can make death rattles when they are on their last legs. You may hear a buzzing noise, produced by faulty elements, or dip tubes may cause a swirling sound in the tank.
5)
Ooh, That Smell – if your water smells funny (check that, if your water smells at all) then that may be a good sign you’ve got issues. Certain types of naturally occurring minerals can build up inside your tank over time and eventually produce a smell. If you water heater is less than ten years old try flushing out the tank before anything else.
Of course if you do end up replacing the water heater, do your homework on exactly what you need, the capacity required to service your home, whether you want to go gas, electric, tankless, etc. All have benefits and all have drawbacks. Know exactly what you need before making your purchase, and have it installed by a professional.
In the event your heater has caused significant flood damage, call the professionals at Water Damage Local.com. Our nationwide network of service providers are available 24/7 and ready to handle even the largest spills.
Call the professionals at Water Damage Local.com today for a free estimate.
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