You probably don’t think about your water heater very often when it is working efficiently. However, it is important to catch problems with this appliance early, before they spiral out of control. Your water heater is an essential piece of equipment, which you use every day you are in your home, and waiting too long to get a new one can cause a ton of problems for your entire household. Keep reading to learn the most common signs your water heater may need to be replaced, and remember that for all your water heater repair and installation needs, you can count on our experienced technicians at All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical.

The Top 5 Signs You Need a New Water Heater

  1. Loud Sounds: That banging sound coming from your water heater typically means there is sediment accumulating at the bottom of the tank. When this happens, it gets in the way of the combustion process, which is why you are hearing those mini-explosions. Usually, this problem can just be fixed by draining the tank, which is a part of water heater maintenance you should practice several times a year anyway, just to increase system efficiency. However, if you have flushed out your water heater tank to get rid of scale buildup and those banging sounds have not gone away, you may have a problem on your hands. Call a technician to take a look at your water heater in this scenario, and find out if it’s time to upgrade to a new one.
  2. Strange-Smelling/Tasting/Looking Water: Water that tastes or smells funny is never a good sign, as it could mean there is contamination somewhere in your water supply. Sometimes, you may just live in an area with hard, minerally water, but if the smell or taste of your water changes suddenly, there could be a problem with your water heater. Even more troubling is water that is brown and rusty. Eventually, your water heater will start to corrode, and while you can (and should, periodically) replace the anode rod to prevent corrosion, it may be time to upgrade to a new system entirely, especially if your water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan. Speaking of which…
  3. Age: The average water heater lasts about ten years, but with periodic maintenance, you can get as much as 15 years out of your system. Yet the fact is that no matter how well-maintained your water heater is, there will come a point when it simply starts to lose efficiency. If your water heater is aging and having other issues, call a technician to see if it’s time for an upgrade. And if you’re not sure how old your water heater is and need to find out, you can usually get the information you’re looking for by locating the serial number on the unit and looking it up online.
  4. Leaks: Pooling water at the base of your water heater is a serious issue, and one that should be dealt with right away. If you have noticed there is water pooling around your water heater, call a technician to see if there is a visible leak somewhere in the tank. Slight fractures may develop over time as the tank expands and contracts, but a tear that is big enough to lead to a leak is a major hazard, and can even cause your tank to burst.
  5. Inability to Provide Hot Water: Ultimately, if your water heater is no longer able to do the main thing it’s designed for, it’s simply time to get a new one. There could be many reasons your water heater is losing efficiency, but if you find that it is only able to keep your water hot for a limited amount of time, or that it is no longer to keep your water hot at all, it’s time to call a professional for an energy-efficient upgrade.

Don’t settle for a water heater that is not top-notch! Call All Pro Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical now at (909) 500-8193 to get a great deal on a new one, or click here to request more information on our water heater options today.