In our previous blog post, we covered some of the ways you can tell your water heater needs repair. The truth is, depending on the age of your water heater, and the frequency of those repair needs, a lot of those same signs could actually indicate it’s time for you to make a water heater upgrade.
Ultimately, you don’t want to be with a water heater that’s not operating as it should. After all, the last thing you need is to be surprised with an icy cold shower when you were expecting a warm one, or dishes that didn’t get thoroughly cleaned in your dishwasher because no hot water got to them. If you begin noticing anything off with your water heater, be sure to be on alert for the following signs, and if you notice any of them, please give us a call!
Old Age
As we alluded to above, age truly does matter when it comes to your water heater, or really any home comfort system. If your water heater is between the ages of 15-20 years old, then it’s just about reached its useful service life. Not only will this help you avoid an emergency breakdown when you really need your water heater, but water heaters manufactured in the last decade are far more efficient than their older counterparts, including what’s in your home.
There’s a Leak
The only “normal” place to see a leak coming from in your water heater is the pressure relief valve. This doesn’t always mean doom for the water heater. However, if the leak is occurring in the tank of the system, it’s not something that can be repaired. At this point, it’s a sign that you need a new water heater.
You See Corrosion Or Rust
Water heaters are designed in a way to resist rust and corrosion, but this won’t always be the case. Your tank water heater does have a component inside of it called the anode rod, that is designed to absorb rust and corrosion. These rods do not last as long as the water heaters themselves, and therefore need to be replaced every once in a while. But even the anode rods may not be able to fend off rust and corrosion forever, and once you see rust on the outside of the tank, or even discoloration in the water coming from the hot water lines of your plumbing system, it absolutely means it’s time for a water heater check, and probable replacement.
Frequent Repair Needs
We mentioned this above–if your water heater is requiring repairs more frequently–like once every handful of months rather than once every couple of years–then it’s likely that your water heater is on its last leg. The money you’d spend on repairs would likely be much better spent on a more efficient replacement, which will save you in monthly bills over the lifespan of the system. When you’re ready for professional water heater replacement in Kingsland, GA, look no further than HendrixAir, Inc. Contact us today!