One amenity of all modern-day households is hot water. Having a water heater is an absolute necessity for activities like bathing, cooking, and even cleaning. Unfortunately, just like any other appliance in your home, your water heater can malfunction from time to time. Below, we’ll address some of the key indicators of water heater failure and what you can do about them.
Common Indicators of Water Heater Failure
There are numerous signs that can indicate there’s an issue with your water heater. Strange noises, discolored water, reduced water pressure, and even smelly water can all indicate a problem. If you’re getting inconsistent or no hot water, there’s an issue with your unit. Anytime that you notice something out of the norm with your water heater, it’s best to give us a call for prompt repair service. Even issues that may seem relatively small, like inconsistent water temperature, can indicate internal problems that can get worse over time.
Why Early Detection Protects Your Home
As with most problems, getting them assessed as early as possible is the key to preventing more damage. In the case of your water heater, even issues like small tank leaks can lead to major water damage if left unchecked. Water continually leaking out of your tank can damage floors, walls, and ceilings and require structural repairs.
Early detection is also necessary to minimize the downtime of your water heater. By calling us to get repair services, we can perform prompt fixes before your water heater completely stops working. No homeowner wants to deal with not having sufficient hot water in their home. Fortunately, early detection is your best line of defense against this unfavorable event.
Hot Water Temperature Inconsistencies
One of the most frustrating problems you may have with your water heater is an inconsistent water temperature. This can be caused by things like faulty heating elements, malfunctioning thermostats, and more. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis to repair the root cause of the issue to fix your fluctuating hot water problem.
Strange Sounds From the Water Heater
Normally, water heaters don’t make any noise during operation. That is, unless you have one that burns fuel like natural gas. Those units will produce an obvious whooshing sound when the burner kicks on. However, if you start to hear strange noises like popping, rumbling, or even banging coming from your water heater, it indicates an underlying problem. Sometimes we can repair the issue by removing excess sediment buildup.
Leaks or Moisture Around the Tank
Anytime that there’s a leak around your water heater tank, it needs prompt professional evaluation. Leaks that come from the tank indicate corrosion and require full replacement. Leaks that come from the connections may simply be solved by tightening the connections. Our plumbers can do a professional evaluation to determine the root cause of the leak and recommend whether repairs or replacement is best. In cases of major tank leaks, you may need to have structural damage in your home repaired as well.
Rusty Water or Metallic Taste
One thing you never want to see come out of your hot water is a rusty tone. This typically indicates rust flakes in your water that came off the inside of your corroded tank. Additionally, if you have a metallic taste in your water, it can also signal internal corrosion. Our plumbers can assess the extent of the corrosion and determine whether it can be repaired or if you’ll need a full water heater replacement.
Slow Hot Water Recovery Times
One pesky problem you can experience with your water heater is slower-than-normal hot water recovery times. This describes the amount of time it takes your water heater to warm up new water in its tank after you use the existing hot water. This is most noticeable when you have people doing back-to-back showers. Common causes of slower recovery times include sediment build-up in the tank and internal system wear and tear. Sometimes we may be able to flush the unit out to remove that excess sediment and restore the faster recovery time of your unit.
Visible Corrosion on the Tank
If you start to see corrosion on the tank of your water heater, it’s an immediate concern. Corrosion typically indicates the presence of water, which could signal a leak in your unit. By allowing us to evaluate the corrosion before a major water leak happens, we can replace your unit to prevent that damage from occurring.
Age of the Water Heater
If your tank water heater is over 8 years old, it’s time to consider a replacement. We recommend planning a replacement ahead of time before your unit completely fails. This way, you’re not stuck without hot water until a replacement can be done. We do suggest installing more modern, high-efficiency water heaters that can reduce your energy bills over the long term.
Schedule Professional Water Heater Services
Avid Plumbing is a family-owned and -operated company that offers plumbing services throughout Wisconsin. We conveniently provide 24/7 emergency and same-day service calls for all our valued clients. We provide free estimates for new unit purchases with no hidden fees. All of our plumbers are fully licensed and insured to give you peace of mind.
With competitive and honest pricing alongside a minimum one-year labor and material warranty, you can’t go wrong when you contact us. So, schedule service today.
Frequently Asked Questions
As a trusted local plumbing company, we receive a lot of questions from our many clients. Below, we’ll answer some of the most common questions we get about water heaters.
How Long Does a Typical Water Heater Last?
Standard tank water heaters can last anywhere between 8 and 12 years with proper care and upkeep. Tankless units can last between 15 and 20 years. The overall longevity of your water heater will depend on the amount of maintenance it receives, if you have hard water at your home, and so much more.
What Should I Do If My Water Heater Starts Leaking?
Whenever your water heater starts leaking, it’s important to turn off the water inlet valve to prevent any further water from entering the tank. Doing a thorough assessment of where the leak is coming from can give you more insight into where the problem lies. If the leak is from the bottom of your tank, it likely needs to be replaced.
Can a Plumber Repair a Failing Water Heater or Is Replacement Necessary?
Whether we can repair your water heater really depends on the root cause of the issue. If the problem is something like a faulty thermostat or malfunctioning heating element, we can typically repair it. However, if the problem is due to corrosion or there’s a leak coming from your tank, a replacement is typically necessary.
How Often Should a Water Heater Receive Maintenance?
Your water heater needs professional maintenance every year. This is necessary to inspect all the different components to ensure that they’re working and not corroded. It’s also necessary to flush the inside of the tank to prevent sediment build-up that could otherwise lead to unwanted corrosion.