8 warning signs that you need a new water heater

 If you've been living in your home for a few years, it's likely that you'll need to replace your water heater at some point. Here are eight warning signs that indicate it might be time for a new one. Keep an eye out for these signs, and if you notice them, don't hesitate to call a professional to install a new water heater.

Do you have a water heater that is over 13 years old? If so, then there is a good chance that it might be in bad shape. There are signs of wear and tear if something has been used for too long. Your water heater may need to be replaced if it falls under any one of these 8 warning signs:

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1. It's leaking

You know when your water heater breaks at a time when you don't want it to break, right? That's why you should keep an eye on it from time to time, especially after all the "heavy use" times such as winter. A sign of a problem with your unit is when hot or cold water leaks out anywhere from the tank itself or from its connections. Any leak is a big problem, and the water heater should be looked at immediately.

2. It's rusting

Another sign of wear and tear is when there is visible rust on your water heater. If you see spots of rust anywhere from the hot water tank itself onto its valves or pipes any place else, there might be something wrong with it that needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Rust can cause holes in the tank that could lead to bigger problems such as more leaks or even worse: flooding around your home! 

3. The pilot light keeps going out

If you're noticing that your pilot light is constantly going out, then it may time for a new unit before disaster strikes. The pilot light ensures that there will always be hot water available, even if you live in a household with multiple people who are taking showers one after the other. If this is not working correctly, then your water heater will not be able to deliver on expectations.

4. It's making weird noises

Do you hear strange sounds coming from your water heater when it is running? This may be a sign that there are loose parts or that there is dirt and sediment within the tank itself that is causing these odd sounds. Homes that have hard water will experience sediment build-up pretty quickly, especially when used most often during the year around wintertime. A professional plumber should assess whether or not something needs to be repaired or replaced based on what they see while at your home for another reason.

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5. It's only heating the water to a certain temperature

The biggest complaint among people who own older hot water heaters is that they can't get it to heat up all the way, especially during wintertime when the temperatures are frigid outside. While this could be seen as an inconvenience, there may be something wrong with your unit if you never have scalding hot water coming out of it even though you have allowed more time for the heater to refill. This means that whatever temperature setting is on your unit might need to be turned up so it can deliver hotter water faster, or maybe its time for a replacement altogether.

6. You haven't had any problems yet... but it's too old

Unfortunately, no matter how much you take care of your water heater, it will eventually wear out and break down. While there really is no exact timeline for when this might happen, knowing the age of your unit can give you a pretty good idea whether or not its time to start looking into water heaters to replace it with. If you haven't had any problems with your unit yet but it's older than 13 years old, then now may be a good time to invest in something new and improved that will last even longer than what you have right now.

7. Your family has grown

If your household used to only consist of two people but now has three, four or five members living under the same roof these days, then it may be time for a bigger unit to ensure that everyone has enough hot water for showers and cleaning. While a regular 40-gallon unit can handle two people just fine, it will not be able to keep up with a big family's need for hot water all at the same time.

8. You want faster hot water

If you're sick and tired of waiting so long for your tank to fill up after your last use, then it may be time to invest in a new water heater altogether. Newer units typically have many gallons still left in them even when they are turned off, which means that there won't be any more cold showers unless someone else turns on another faucet or flushes the toilet while you're already in the shower! This is something that you won't have to worry about with a new tankless unit that heats the water only when it is being used, not while it is just sitting there in storage.

Conclusion paragraph: 

With the winter season around the corner, now may be a good time to think about getting that old water heater replaced. You don’t want to find yourself in an emergency situation where you have no hot water and are left shivering by your cold shower. The best way to avoid this scenario is to proactively look at warning signs of needing a new water heater so you can take care of it before something goes wrong. We know how frustrating waiting for service people can be, which is why we offer same day appointments with our customer-driven team who will come out and install or replace any size unit without breaking your budget! 

Author Bio:- Laura Harnes 

Laura is a marketing manager at EZ Plumbing USA. With years of experience in the plumbing industry, she loves to create awareness about the causes, problems, and repair solutions of water damage and slab leak. She shares expert tips to lower utility bills and keep your AC, heater, and other appliances in optimum condition leading to longer lifespan.

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