3 Signs That Your Water Heater Is Failing
A good water heater will ensure that you get the nice hot shower you really want to have. If your water heater needs to be replaced, you want that to happen as soon as possible. So, what are some signs that you need to replace your water heater?
Longer to Heat Up
One of the signs that your water heater is about to die is that it takes longer to heat the water. In a tank water heater, the water heater's tank drains as you use it, and cold water refills it. The heating unit in the water heater will heat that water. How long it takes to heat the water depends on your tank's size, the temperature you have it set at, how much water gets used, and the temperature of the cold water going into the tank. After using the water heater for a while, you will have a good idea of how long it takes to heat the water. As your water heater starts dying, it will take longer and longer to heat the same amount of water.
Rusty/Cloudy Water
If there is corrosion or buildup inside your water heater or the pipes leading to your water heater, the corrosion and some of the minerals will move through your pipes until you see the results of it coming out through your pipes. Some small amount of rust or buildup is expected to happen over the lifetime of your plumbing system, just because of the way that everything works, but you really shouldn't see any of its effects. If you do, then that's a sign that your water heater is deteriorating from the inside out. You may also notice that the water smells odd.
Knocking or Banging
You may also notice that your water heater is knocking or banging, especially when it is heating the water up. You shouldn't hear anything coming from your water heater at all, except possibly if you have a gas-powered water heater and you hear the pilot light kick on the heater. Other than that, it should be silent.
You don't want to boil water on the stove to take a bath or wash your clothes, so you need to make sure that your water heater is in good shape. Knowing some signs of failure will help you make sure that you have hot water whenever you want it and so you know when to replace the water heater.
Contact a water heater installation contractor to learn more.
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