Your hot water heater is crucial to your home’s efficiency, from warming your bath to washing your clothes. So, the minute you realize it’s not working correctly, it’s normal to panic.

Is the pilot light out, or is your water heater on its last leg?

When your water heater malfunctions, it’s normal to wonder if it needs to be repaired or replaced.

Since most homeowners aren’t water heater specialists, identifying a minor problem and one that needs immediate attention isn’t always easy.

Here’s everything you need to know about water heater replacement and repair.

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy of a water heater is approximately ten years. However, gas water heaters usually last between 6 to 8 years.

But just like other household appliances, the total lifespan depends on the usage, how often it’s maintained and water quality where you live.

If you have hard water the water contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium, which can lead to buildup inside the tank.

It’s also important to note that even if your water heater is relatively new, say under five years old, proper maintenance is the best way to prevent problems in the future.

Tank or Tankless

Because tankless water heaters only store and use water when in use, they tend to last longer than traditional water heaters.

That’s not to say they’ll never need repairs. However, since tankless models are more efficient, they usually outperform traditional models. They’re also easier to maintain as well.

Signs You Need Repairs

Needing plumbing services doesn’t automatically mean you need a new water heater. When your water heater needs repair, it gives off a variety of tell-tale warning signs.

Some of the most common ones include:

• Knocking and banging sounds
• Low water levels
• Leaks
• Faulty pressure and drain valves
• Murky or foul-smelling water

Knocking and Banging

If your water heater makes knocking and banging sounds, sediment buildup could be the culprit. When sediment levels are too high, scale accumulates on the bottom of the tank.

The knocking sound comes from steam bubbles that rise as the water heats. And while this isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm, you shouldn’t ignore it either.

Water Levels

Low water levels can cause banging and knocking. This happens when sediment builds up on the bottom of the tank.

Low water levels can also occur if the tank is too small, the dip tube is broken, or the heating system is not working.

The heating system has three parts: the thermostat, heating element and thermal switch. If any of these stops working, you might experience low water levels.

Water Leaks

Water leaks are a severe problem that warrants immediate attention. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of tightening a pipe or connector that’s come loose.

However, there are more severe issues that can cause leaks as well.

Faulty pressure valves cause pressure inside the tank to increase, seeping through any cracks in the tank. If the pressure inside the tank continues to grow, your tank could explode.

If your drain valve is broken, it may not shut all the way, which can also cause a leak.

Murky Water

What’s worse than turning on the faucet and seeing water as murky as a mud puddle?

Murky water is a clear indication your water heater needs to be repaired. In addition to draining the tank, the anode rod might need to be replaced.

The anode rod is a steel core wrapped in metal, usually magnesium, zinc or aluminium. It protects the inside of your water heater from rusting.

The anode rod can wear out over time, especially if you have hard water.

Finally, water might appear cloudy or murky if the pressure is too high in the tank. All of the above issues should be checked out by a plumbing specialist.

Signs You Need a New Water Heater

Although some of the warning signs overlap with repairs, there’s another set of red flags that indicate you need water heater installation services.

Let’s look at it.

Hissing

In addition to banging and knocking noises, your water heater might start to hiss incessantly. This happens when sediment settles builds up, even with proper maintenance.

Rust-Colored Water

The only scarier than having no hot water is turning on the tap and having rust-coloured water coming out.

This happens for a variety of reasons. The pipes may be corroded if your plumbing system or water heater is too old. Both of these possible scenarios warrant further investigation and possibly new water heater installation services.

Constant Temperature Fluctuations

Your water heater’s temperature should stay where you set it. If your water temperature keeps fluctuating, and you know it’s not the thermostat, your water heater may be going up.

Constant Temperature Fluctuations

Water heaters reaching the end of their lifespan don’t operate efficiently. The water may run cold shortly after turning it on. You might also notice that it’s taking longer for the water to heat up, even with limited use.

Proper Maintenance

Whether you only need repairs or a new install, proper maintenance is necessary. In general, it’s a good idea to have routine inspections and maintenance twice a year.

When you schedule your plumbing services, be sure to tell the technician of any fluctuations in water temperature or if you run out of hot water too quickly.

This will help them determine whether further inspection is necessary and drain and refill the tank.

If you have a tankless water heater, it must be flushed at least once a year. Even though it doesn’t store water like a tanked model, minerals can still build up and damage the heat exchanger.

Things to Consider

If your water heater needs to be repaired or replaced, you should verify some information first.

On the nameplate, you’ll find a lot of helpful information, like installation guidelines and tank capacity. If you have an electric water heater, you’ll want to know the wattage and actual voltage of the heating elements.

When it comes to your hot water heater, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Whether you have questions about our plumbing services or want to schedule a new installation, G&P Root Raiders Plumbing help.