Signs That Your Water Heater May Need Replacing
The water heater in your home may be starting to show signs of its age and letting you know that it is time to consider a water heater replacement. If the water heater is more than ten years old, it is likely outdated and is not as efficient as a new water heater will be.
Leaking Tanks
Water heaters have a tank inside the case hidden from view, but it can leak and cause damage to the insulation, the electrical components, and the floor under the tank. If the tank is leaking, you are losing hot water. Further, the tank will need to run constantly to try and heat the cold water coming into the tank to replenish the leaking tank.
Water leaking on the insulation inside the tank can damage the insulation and cause it to breakdown over time, allowing the water in the tank to cool much faster than it would with the insulation in place. As the water cools, the controller on the water heater will turn on the heating elements to try and maintain the temperature in the tank. This may lead the elements to run more often than they should, causing premature failure.
The water leaking from the tank can make it to the floor and cause puddles that can damage the flooring. If the water heater is on a concrete floor, it will take longer to do damage. However, standing water on concrete can cause the concrete to crack, spawl, and chip, exposing the more porous part of the concrete inside. This will allow the water to penetrate deeper into the concrete and causing more damage.
Limited Hot Water
A water heater can start to have a hard time keeping up with the hot water requirements in your home. If you begin to notice that you are running out of hot water more quickly than you previously did, you may have a problem with a leak or a problem with the heating elements or controller on the tank.
A loss of hot water does not always mean water heater replacement, but if the water heater is older, it might be time to take the unit out and upgrade it with a more efficient one. You may water to consider tankless water heaters, a larger water heater, or some alternative method for your home.
In any case, a plumber can inspect the water heater in your home and give you some idea of whether repairing the water heater is worth the cost. Installing a new water heater will last longer and save you money over the long run. Contact a water heater replacement service for more information.