Your water heater should last for anywhere between eight and twelve years. Even if yours hasn’t reached its life expectancy, you might be wondering if it’s started to falter.
Indeed, you could be seeing some signs that your setup isn’t working quite as well as it used to. But what are the telltale signals that you need a water heater replacement? Here are five of them to look out for.
1. The Water Pressure’s Not Good
You can do things to fix water pressure that’s constantly low, like invest in a showerhead designed to make the most of a weak stream. However, if you notice that your once-strong showerhead is sprinkling, it might be a sign that your water heater and the pipes plumbed into it are starting to fill with sediment, which means it needs replacement.
2. You Notice a Drip
Perhaps your water heater is somewhere where you can easily see it, and you’ve noticed a puddle forming beneath it. Those drips aren’t harmless — they can be a sign of a number of bigger issues inside of your device. For instance, your heater might have faulty drain valves, which would cause drips and be a reason to buy a new boiler.
3. The Water’s Not Hot
This one is pretty obvious, but you may need water heater replacement if the water coming from your faucet isn’t as hot as you want it to be. You might get some hot water, but it runs out quickly. Or, you might not get any hot water at all.
Either way, an insufficient amount of hot water is often reason enough to replace a water heater.
4. It’s Noisy
You were never aware of your water heater when it worked – it just chugged along silently, warming your water as you needed. Now, though, you hear it clanging and crashing whenever it turns on.
A banging sound can often signal that your water heater is on the verge of breaking down completely. So, if you notice something loud, call in the pros — or start looking for a new device to replace your current one.
5. It’s Old
We’ve already mentioned the age is often an indicator that it’s time to replace your water heater. So, if you see any of the above signs in your water heater, check your old receipts. When did you buy your current boiler?
If it’s older than 12 years old, then you might consider skipping repair in favor of replacing your device.
Time For Water Heater Replacement
Ultimately, if you think you might need a water heater replacement, your best bet is to call in an expert. They can check out your device and see if any of the above symptoms are, indeed, indications that you need a new water heater.
We can help you with that. Click here to contact Happy Plumbing, your water heater specialists in southern California.