Unexpected water heater failures are inconvenient and can cause water damage to your home. For these reasons, it is a good idea to watch for signs your home's water heater is reaching the end of its natural life.
Here are the four most common signs a water heater replacement is likely imminent.
Sign #1: The Water Heater is Over a Decade Old
All water heaters have a limited lifespan. Thankfully, most will last for a decade or longer before they require replacement. If your home's water heater is older than a decade, then any problems it develops should be seen as indicators its useful life is coming to an end. Once an older water heater starts having issues it is often best to replace it. Otherwise, you could end up with a string of expensive repairs.
Replacing a failing water heater also gives you peace of mind. You will know the issue has been solved and your home will be free of water heating issues for years into the future.
Sign #2: The Water Heater's Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
When a water heater is having a problem with its electrical connections or thermostat it will trip the circuit breaker in the power panel. If your water heater trips a breaker once, then it may just be a fluke. However, if it does it more than once, then the appliance has an electrical problem that needs to be addressed immediately.
Sign #3: Noises Coming from the Water Heater Tank
You should only hear two sounds coming from a water heater:
- cold water flowing into the tank
- a humming noise when self-stirring tanks are stirring
Any other sounds, such as rumbling, clanging, or knocking are signs of a problem. If you hear sounds coming from an older water heater, this is a big sign it likely needs replacement sooner rather than later.
Sign #4: The Holding Tank is Leaking or Rusted
One of the most common failure points of water heaters is their holding tank. The metal holding tank is always under pressure from expansion and contraction. In addition, the metal inside of the tank is in constant contact with corrosive water.
Over time, rust will start growing on a water heater's tank. Rust leads to small leaks that turn into bigger leaks. If you see any rust on the water heater or if you see rust particles in your home's hot water, then this is a sign the water heater is starting to fail.
For more information on a water heater, contact a professional near you.
