Every home needs a constant supply of hot water all through the day. This is what a functional water heater assures. However, like every other appliance in the home, with constant use, wear and tear sets in and your water heater can begin to malfunction.
A lot of times, the signs that it needs repairs or some routine maintenance work may not be much. However, ignoring these little signs can result in much bigger faults that will cost a lot to fix or even warrant a total replacement of the unit. If you want to have an idea of how much it costs to replace a water heater, you can check here.
In this article, we will be providing you with some common signs that can be an indication that it’s time to call in the repair man for some maintenance work on your water heater. These tips will help you identify issues before they become major repair projects.
Let’s get started.
1. Strange Noise Coming from the Heater
When you begin to hear strange noises coming from you heater, it’s time to give it a thorough check up. Rumblings, popping, banging or other such noises could be indicative of one or all of the following issues:
- Increased stress on the tank resulting from the many cycles of heating and cooling. This is to be expected with age.
- Sediments that have hardened over time at the bottom of the tank, resulting in overheating. This build-up and hardening of sediments can cause cracking or popping sounds.
- Loose components jangling around the system or faulty heating elements that have come loose.
Whatever the cause of the noise, you should be sure to have it checked out so your heater doesn’t get worse and eventually just pack up.
2. Rusty or Discolored Water
If you notice discoloured or rusty water coming out of your water faucets then it warrants further investigation. Such a situation could be indicative of any of the following:
- A rusty pipe network delivering unhealthy water to your home.
- A build-up of sediments in the tank which again means that the water will be polluted and therefore unhealthy.
- Corrosion inside the tank some of which is now finding its way into the pipes. The more serious issue with this is that it could also mean that the tank can be leaking because of the corrosion. Such a leak can cause structural damage.
3. Unpleasant Tasting Water
The water from your heater shouldn’t have an unpleasant taste or smell. Once you notice foul smell with our water or that it has a metallic taste, know that it requires attention.
This can be caused by a number of factors including:
- Growth of bacteria in the tank. This will often be the case if the water in the tank has been stagnant for a while.
- Corrosion in the pipe which will of course affect the quality of the water being supplied.
- Deterioration of the anode rod which can also affect the quality of water supplied to the faucets.
4. Leaks around the Heater
If you notice that there appears to always be a pool of water around the heater, then it may be an indication that there’s a leak. While you may think that a leak is not anything serious, it may actually be. Some things that can lead to this type of leakage include:
- A corroded or cracked tank. This would mean that you have a tank to replace.
- Loose pipes, fittings or plumbing connections
- An excess build-up of pressure within tank resulting from a faulty TPR (Temperature and Pressure Relief) valve. You can learn more about this valve here: https://appliancemastery.com/.
5. Increased Energy Consumption
If you suddenly notice that your energy consumption has increased, resulting in an increase in your energy bill, then you may want to take a look at your water heater. Your water heater can begin to consume more energy if:
- It is old and is therefore not as efficient as it should be. This would mean working harder and longer to achieve the required temperature.
- There’s a build-up of sediments that now causes it to work harder than it ought to
- The thermostat is malfunctioning and making the heater cycle more than it should or overheat.
6. Fluctuating Temperatures or No Hot Water
This is one common sign that your water heater needs some attention. You could find that you’re not getting any hot water or that the water temperature changes suddenly. You could be taking a hot shower and suddenly, the water goes cold. This can be caused by a number of factors which may include:
- A faulty thermostat that’s no longer regulating the temperature as it should.
- A malfunction of the heating element. This is the part responsible for heating the water. If it begins to malfunction, it could begin to work sporadically.
- The build-up of sediments that reduce heating efficiency and sometimes cause fluctuations.
7. Age
Sometimes your water heater can begin to malfunction simply because it is old. Wear and tear happens to these appliances so they all have a life span that you can expect them to last. Your tank water heater has a life span of between 8 to 12 years while the tankless type can last for about 20 years.
If you own one of these, tank or tankless, you should begin to think of changing it once it has served close to the number of years shown above. It might just be time to change it.
It’s important to add here that how well you maintain your water heater will determine how long it will last. We’ve shown you this list of common signs that it’s water heater repair time because prompt intervention forestalls more serious damage. You should pay close attention and call in professionals whenever you notice any of these signs.
Conclusion
No one wants to be stuck with a bad water heater. The inconvenience that comes with it is really huge. To this end, we’ve discussed some common signs that will help you know when your water heater needs attention.
Once you can identify these problems before they get worse, you increase your chances of preventing a complete breakdown. You should also be sure to work with professionals who understand your heating system so that issues that arise can be fixed quickly and efficiently.
