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Is It Time for a Water Heater Replacement?

If you’re curious about replacing your water heater or are experiencing issues with your current water heater that lead you to believe you might be in the market for a replacement soon, there are some telltale signs to confirm your suspicions.

Most homeowners will encounter the need for a water heater replacement at some point, so even if you don’t think you need a replacement right now, it’s good to know what to look for!

Age

The average age of a water heater is typically around ten years, although a replacement could be necessary even sooner than that mark. Still, ten years is a good time to give replacement serious consideration, because even if nothing appears to be malfunctioning, wear and tear will eventually lead to an increase in needed repairs and other issues.

If your water heater is located in a place that water damage could be costly, it’s even more important to consider a replacement due to the potential leaking! Not sure how old your water heater is?

Simply check the serial number. The first letter will correlate to the month (A for January, B for February, and so on), and the first two digits will represent the year it was manufactured (09 would represent the year 2009).

Leaks

One of the more common issues that comes with owning an aging water heater is leaking around your tank. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but it’s a serious issue regardless of the source of the leak because of the potential for property damage.

Usually, leaks are the result of cracks in the metal tank from the many heating cycles a water tank endures in its lifetime. This repeated heating and cooling eventually breaks down the metal, creating fractures in the tank that only worsen over time.

Worn fittings and faulty pipes or connections can also cause serious leaks, and shouldn’t be ruled out. Avoid the risk of ruined carpet or belongings, or even mold by replacing an old water heater before leaking occurs.

Rust

One of the most serious problems a water heater can produce is rust. Not only is rust a sanitation issue, but is can lead to rust occurring in your sink and bathtub, as well as eventually causing leaks from the damaged metal.

Steel is extremely durable, and a great choice for manufacturing a water heater, but it is also prone to rusting, which is why considering a water heater replacement after a decade is important.

The last thing any homeowner wants to deal with is rust in their water and home!

Other Common Issues

Besides rust, leaking, and a water heater past the age of typical replacement consideration, there are some other warning signs that you may want to replace your water heater. The more common of these issues is certainly noise emanating from the tank.

If your water heater is making loud noises while heating up water, it could be from sediment buildup, cracked metal, or other problems, but one thing is for sure – the noise will only get worse over time!

If you’re encountering other problems such as a lack of hot water, an inadequate tank size for your home, or an unusually high amount of repair work in a short duration, it’s probably time to consider a replacement water heater

If you think it might be time to replace your water heater, let the experienced team at East Coast Mechanical, also known as ECM, help you out! Headquartered in Boynton Beach, FL, we’ve been providing quality home comfort services since 1985.

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