When Is It Time To Replace the Water Heater?
Water heaters are essential to daily life, so much so that it’s hard to imagine a life without hot showers, warm handwashing, and temperature-specific clothes washing. It is a convenience that most have gotten used to and taken for granted - until the hot water suddenly disappears, and they are, quite literally, left out in the cold. Those who find themselves in this predicament might wonder if it’s still worth repairing the water heater or finally fork out the cash for a replacement. To answer this burning question, homeowners may want to watch out for these signs that it’s time to replace the water heater.
It Has Become Severely Corroded
Corrosion happens when metal goes through a gradual process of destruction, usually because of a chemical reaction to its environment. In the case of water heater corrosion, the interaction of oxygen and water with the metal on the storage tank or any of its other metal components results in the increasing presence of rust that slowly eats away at the water heater.
When this happens, homeowners may get tipped off that something is wrong because the rust that develops in the tank gets deposited in the water, which may come out of faucets and fixtures looking discolored, rusty, or even giving off a faint metallic smell. While some rust may be resolved by draining and flushing the tank about once or twice a year, if the problem persists, then it might be time to consider water heater replacement.
Absence of Hot Water
Is it even a water heater if it doesn’t heat water? While troubled homeowners may begin to wax philosophical when dealing with the stress of a water heater that fails to produce hot water, it’s safe to say that when a heater, whether it is a tankless water heater or the traditional kind, no longer achieves its purpose, then it might be time to go beyond water heater repair into the realm of outright replacement.
There are a handful of reasons for this scenario. It could be that constant exposure to hard water has left a thick layer of mineral deposit that has hardened and prevents the heating element from making enough contact with the water to heat it. There may also be leaks in the system - water, gas, or otherwise. Another could be the result of a faulty heating element. If fixing these problems fails to produce enough hot water, then there’s no recourse but replacement.
It Has Reached or Exceeded Its Lifespan
Water heater life expectancy has improved significantly since the early days of its inception. The average water heater lifespan is 10-15 years, while a tankless water heater lifespan can range from 15-25. It’s safe to say that most water heaters are pretty sturdy and last a good long while, so replacement does not have to be an issue for homeowners whose water heaters are on the lower end of those figures. The only time homeowners should consider replacement before their heaters hit the tail end of their lifespan is if the heaters require constant repair; in this case, it might be more cost-effective to replace the heater than to keep paying for its repair.
About Cleary Plumbing & Air
Cleary Plumbing & Air is a reliable AC services company in Palm Beach County. With over 25 years of experience, Cleary has built a trustworthy team of highly trained technicians who can solve various air conditioning issues using fully stocked trucks to get the work done faster. Upfront pricing, free home inspections, and service that works without leaving a mess make them the go-to AC services provider in the community. Call them today for West Palm Beach, FL water heater service.
