In North America it has been estimated that approximately 63 gallons of hot water are used in the average family household every day. Hot water is considered an essential to a comfortable living environment, but just like any other household appliance, water heaters don’t last forever.
The professionals at Public Service Plumbers are here to share their top tips for knowing when to replace your water heater quickly and effectively so that cold showers are never a last resort.
What Happens If I Don’t Replace My Water Heater?
Other than sacrificing your comfort of having hot water whenever you need it, failing to replace your old or broken water heater can cause a plethora of other consequences. While most water heaters often stop working a bit more over time, some units may break abruptly. In some instances, the tank may burst and end up flooding your garage or basement where the water heater lives.
In rare, worse-case scenarios, a broken water heater can even be deadly to the residents of your home. The more the water heats up, the more pressure builds within the tank and could potentially explode. Better to be safe than to be sorry.
Consider Your Water Heater’s Age
While a new water system can last for a good while, they do experience years in which they don’t work as well and are nearing the end of their expected life span.
The rule of thumb most professionals would recommend is to get a water heater replacement after ten years. It may last a little longer, but your unit should be replaced after a decade whether you’re experiencing problems or not.
Loss of Hot Water
Perhaps the most obvious sign to tell that your water heater is not at peak performance is if you are not receiving hot water. Nobody likes having to take a luke-warm shower, so this sign is the easiest way to detect a problem and act fast to get it resolved.
Rust: Inside and Out
The older your water heater gets, the more rust accumulates in and around it. Rust can cause internal and external issues.
On the tank itself, rust can cause damage to pipes and valves. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, as rust around a valve often means that it has made its way into your water supply already.
If you or your family have experienced a red hue when turning on a faucet, this means that rust has been traveling through the water heater system and throughout your home. Where there’s rust, there needs to be replacement.
Leaky Pipes
The older your system gets, the more leaks you are likely to experience. If you walk into the room in which your water heater is kept and often notice puddles around the base of the tank, it’s a sign that it’s time for a new one.
Frequent puddles are a risk of mold and mildew buildup, especially in carpets, and can lead to severe water damage and flooding if not handled properly.
Contact Public Service Plumbers
The key to a good replacement is having a reliable plumber to get the job done quickly and effectively. For all water heater installations, replacements and maintenance contact Public Service Plumbers.
