5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Water Heater

One of the most common questions plumbers are asked by customers is when do I need to replace my water heater? Unfortunately, there are no exact predictions that can be given in regards to when a water heater will stop working. That being said, there are signs that can be watched out for. Monitoring for these signs of a failing water heater will help ensure you know when to hire a plumber to have this problem taken care of. Considering that, here are five signs that it’s time to replace your water heater.

1. Lack of Hot Water
   
   You might ask yourself when do I need to replace my water heater if there is no hot water? In some cases, a full replacement might not be needed when no hot water is running throughout your home. The most common water heater problem is when it stops producing hot water. Considering that, it’s wise to start finding the right plumber after you’ve noticed there is no hot water running throughout your home. In turn, a plumber will be able to find out if repairing or replacing a water heater needs to take place.
2. You Don’t Know How Old Water Heater Is
   
   There’s no need to feel embarrassed if you don’t know when the water heater in your home was installed. In fact, many homeowners don’t think about the water heater date until something happens to this device. As a general rule of thumb, most water heaters will need to replaced within 10 to 15 years. If it’s been a decade since you’ve had your water heater looked at, it’s wise to contact plumbing services in order to have this job completed.
3. Water Looks or Smells Odd
   
   If you’ve noticed that the water in your home is looking odd, this is often a sign that your water heater needs to be looked at. Many people who are having water heater problems begin to notice that water running throughout their homes take on a metallic smell. In addition, this water might lose its clarity due to containing material from the inside of your water tank. Needless to say, this problem should be taken care of by a professional plumbing service as soon as possible.
4. Repairs Don’t Fix the Problems
   
   You might be asking when do I need to replace my water heater versus replacing it?
   As with many other types of appliances, these items needing constant repair work isn’t often a good sign. In many cases, you’ll find that replacing your water heater is often far less expensive than continuing to pay repair bills. That being said, repairs are often only able to do so much if a water heater is nearing the end of its life cycle. Statistics show that the average home the in the United States could save nearly $170 each year on water and sewer bills through making small changes to their water usage habits. However, replacing an inefficient water heater is likely to save you even more annually through its efficiency.
5. Leaks Begin to Occur Near Water Heater
   
   The average family of four uses an estimated 400 gallons of water each day. That being said, statistics show that 10% of homes throughout the United States have plumbing leaks that are wasting up to 90 gallons of water daily. Considering that, if you live with others and have a potential leak in your home, you could be noticing a big increase in water bills. It’s wise to check your water heater for any signs of leakage beginning to occur. The question of when do I need to replace my water heater can be answered by checking for leaks near this device. Leaks likely mean that the inner tank can no longer hold water, making replacement a necessity.

In conclusion, there are several signs that it’s time to replace your water heater. It’s incredibly important for a homeowner to watch out for signs that plumbing repairs are needed. Catching these problems before they begin to spiral out of control is a wise decision. A plumber is often the best source of help to find out if you need to either repair or replace your water heater.