Water Heater Getting Old? 3 Signs It Needs To Be Repaired Or Replaced
You likely take your hot water for granted each time you take a shower, wash your hands, and do your dishes. If your water heater is getting old, however, you need to ensure it stays running so you can keep your hot water. Below are some signs that the water heater may be having problems and needs to be repaired. There are also signs that you need to replace the water heater with a new, updated one.
Water Heater Is Noisy
It is common to hear a little noise from your water heater when the water is turned on, but if you hear banging, whining, popping, or cracking when you turn on the water this is a sign your water heater is in trouble. The sound may not go away when you turn off the water.
In many cases, these sounds are due to problems with the heating element or lime or scale may be built up inside the tank. Fortunately, you can prevent this buildup in the future by flushing the water heater periodically, which means running cold water through it. Before you have the water heater replaced, you may be able to remove the lime and scale deposits on your own. These deposits are often due to hot water so you should consider installing a water softener.
Water Taking Longer to Heat Up
If you turn on your shower and notice it takes much longer for the water to heat up, this could be due to many things. If you have an electric water heater, it could be a problem with the lower element. The dip tube may also be missing. If you have a gas water heater, it is likely a problem with the dip tube. In some cases, there is no reason for this to happen. For example, during the cold, winter months, it is common for the water to take a little longer to heat up.
If you have recently replaced your showerhead check to see if it has a higher flow rate. If so, it will take longer for the water coming out of the showerhead to heat up.
Water Has a Brown or Red Tint
If you noticed your water has a brown or red tint, this could be due to many things. The internal components of the hot water heater may be rusted. There could be a lot of corrosion built up at the bottom of the tank, which can create small cracks and holes. You will then see water leaking around the tank. If you are having this problem, it is time to replace your water heater.
Contact a plumber or an HVAC technician like HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric to replace your hot water heater for you to ensure it is done properly.
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