How Can I Tell if I Need Water Heater Replacement Sooner or Later?

A confused girl beside a big question mark in a black wall.

In Brookhaven, Water Heater Replacement Is Top Of Mind. But Is It At The Top Or The Bottom Of Your To-Do List?

Water heater replacement is one of those necessary tasks most people don’t look forward to as homeowners. But when the time comes, you have to bite the bullet and get it done. Why? Try to imagine living without hot water, even for one day. It would not be fun, comfortable, or even safe. You can’t have proper hygiene for yourself or your home without hot water. And imagine cold showers all the time or plunging your hands into a sink full of ice-cold water to do your dishes. Doesn’t sound very appealing, does it? This is why you need some guidelines so you can spot if and when your water heater needs replacing. Take a look.

The Age Of Your Water Heater

The age of your water heater can have a big impact on whether or not it’s time to consider a Brookhaven water heater replacement. On average, electric water heaters last around 8-10 years and gas models slightly less. While yours might still be kicking, there are drawbacks to keeping an old water heater, even if it seems to work just fine.

The Risks Include:

  • Greater potential for the sudden breakdown
  • Increased risk of water leaking from the tank
  • Higher energy bills due to decreased efficiency
  • Unexpected repair costs

It’s worth taking a look at the expiration date on the tank of your water heating system. You can figure out the expiration date by locating the serial number and manufacturer of the heater. Check online for manufacture date and calculate the age based on that. If it’s more than ten years old, it’s worth your while to talk to a reliable plumber about replacement options. They can also share the benefits of upgrading to a new, more energy-efficient model.

Some Of These Benefits Include:

  • Increased efficiency, reduced energy use, and lower energy bills
  • Reduced water use resulting in cost savings on your monthly water bill
  • More consistent water temperature
  • The faster hot water recovery rate

A Noisy Tank Says Brookhaven Water Heater Replacement

Your water heater should run without much noise. It’s a relatively quiet system. If you are beginning to hear rumblings in your tank, however, it could be a sign that replacement is near. It seems odd that heating water could cause a lot of noise, doesn’t it? But it’s not the hot water making the noise; it’s often due to sediment inside the tank. The sediment builds up over time as more and more water cycles through the system over the years. It hardens around the inside of the tank, making it difficult for the water heater to function effectively.

When Sediment Builds Up, Two Things Can Happen:

  1. The water heater can no longer heat the water, leaving you with nothing but cold water coming out of your taps
  2. An increased likelihood of damage – as the water heater works harder to heat the water, the tank takes on excess wear and tear causing it to break down

Can you prevent this type of issue? There are some measures you can take to help keep sediment from building up inside the tank. Regular maintenance is one way. Having a licensed plumber service your water heater annually to check for issues can prevent larger problems in the future. They can also flush the water heater annually to help remove some of the sediment before it can build up and get thick inside the water tank.

Water Leaks Around The Water Heater

As your water heater gets older, it’s more likely it will start to leak. This is especially true in homes that use a lot of hot water. Each time the water heater does its job, the tank expands, the valves have to hold, and the fittings have to stay secure. The more cycles of heating it goes through in its lifetime, the more likely it is to breakdown. The inner body of the tank can fracture, leaving a gap in the metal housing. Even a tiny crack is enough to let water seep out and into your home. The fittings and connections can loosen, creating enough space for leaks. This can happen at the pressure relief valve, the overflow pipe, or anyplace water flows into or out of the water heating equipment.

What happens if you have a leak? Water damage in your home can be a nightmare. Not only can it cause extensive damage, but it can also be incredibly time-consuming and costly to fix. Even a water heater located in a basement, where water can’t do damage to floors below, can wreak havoc on your home. It can damage any belongings you have stored, can damage your HVAC system if the tank is in the basement, and can damage the flooring and foundation of your home. If you find water anywhere near your water heater, it’s time to call in the pros to evaluate the problem and potentially replace the equipment.

How Can The Plumbers Guild Help?

If you notice any of these issues with your water heater, don’t panic. The team at The Plumbers Guild is here to help. Our professional plumbers can assess your current system and recommend a Brookhaven water heater replacement. Once you choose your new system, we can install it and have you back in hot water in no time. Contact us today if you need a Brookhaven water heater replacement.

Warning Signs That Your Water Heater Needs To Be Replaced

Rusty damaged pipe.

Does your Brookhaven Water Heater look like a rusty bucket?

Maybe it doesn’t look so bad, but it has been around since The Great Depression. In all seriousness, there are certain signs you need to be on the lookout for so that you know when it’s time to replace your old Brookhaven Water Heater.

The first thing you’re going to want to know is the age of your system. You may not know what year the water heater was installed, and in that case, you can take a look at the serial number. That will tell you what you need to know.

While you need to take into account other factors besides the age of your Brookhaven Water Heater, the 10 year rule does apply. After 10 years, the experts recommend that you consider replacing your traditional tank water heater, especially if there are other warning signs. However, water heating systems can last longer than 10 years.

A tankless system lasts about twice as long as a traditional water heater.

That being said, you can look at your options for replacement after you determine if you need to take action. What signs should you be on the lookout for besides the age of your water heating system?

Rusty water is always one of the signs that your Brookhaven Water Heater might need to be replaced. Yet you don’t want to jump to conclusions. The rusty water could be because of your pipes. A test can be performed, and then you will know. One thing about rust is that it can cause a water heater to eventually leak.

You’re not going to want to wait for it to start leaking before you purchase a replacement.

And if the water heater is leaking already, then you know it’s time to start picking out a new one. Older water heating systems and boilers also are known to make noise. If yours is making noise, then that’s just another reason why it might be time for a new system.

It could be that there is quite a lot of sediment built up inside the tank. This sediment can be damaging to your Brookhaven Water Heater, and it can also make it much less efficient. Once your old tank heating system is in this kind of shape, it goes downhill fast.

You are familiar with some of the major warning signs now. If any of this advice seems familiar to you regarding the water heater you have in your home, perhaps an upgrade is in order. Remember that you do have tankless systems as an option. They are a little more expensive, but you get what you pay for.

There are other individual warning signs that you might want to know. Start with the age of your Brookhaven Water Heater, and work your way from there. What problems have you noticed? If you’re not sure whether or not it needs to be replaced, the professionals can take a look. Maybe repairs are in order for now, but sooner or later, a replacement will be necessary.