Homeowners Need to Get Out of Bad Relationships With Their Old Water Heaters

Three Indicators the Water Heater is Going to Call it Quits Soon

As appliances go, a water heater tends to be reliable and ready for a long-lasting relationship. They tend to do what a homeowner could expect of them quietly. Unfortunately, water heaters don’t like to be neglected. If they don’t get their proper attention and routine maintenance, they may stop being reliable and need water heater repair or replacement. This may keep the relationship going for a bit longer, but this one could never last a lifetime. This article will share signs it’s time for a replacement to help homeowners determine whether or not it is time to break up with their water heater.

The Creeping Horror of Corrosion

Corrosion is a natural process of breaking down inorganic compounds such as metals. Several factors can contribute to corrosion, but there are three primary reasons for corrosion to appear within a hot water tank:

• Neglected Maintenance:  If water heater maintenance is neglected, it can start to corrode. The anode rod is an important part of the water heater system. This negatively charged metal rod attracts the minerals and other corrosive elements in the water to prevent tank corrosion. The anode rod becomes corroded instead of the tank, and the anode rod must be regularly replaced. If this is not done, the anode rod will be consumed, and the tank may start corroding. Another step during maintenance is flushing the tank of corrosive sediments which will also help the anode rod prevent corrosion.

• Damage: If there has been some damage to the tank that affects the lining, then corrosion may begin to set in. This could be some sort of abrasion or puncture in the interior tank.

• Hard Water:  Almost 90% of households in the U.S. have hard water, that is, water with minerals dissolved in it. These minerals can be corrosive to the hot water tank and the pipes that lead to and away from the water heater.

Inconsistent Temperatures

This may seem an obvious one, but it’s worth mentioning. If the hot water is not lasting as long as it once did, it may be time to consider replacing the water heater. Extreme changes in temperature, such as being too hot or too cool, can result from a failing water heater. Some of the reasons this can happen are listed below:

• Failing burner or heating element
• Igniter problems
• Fuel line issues
• Hard water scale
• Tank corrosion

Energy Bills Blast Off

One of the more subtle indicators of a failing water heater is an increase in energy costs. When the energy bill increases suddenly, and without a clear reason, there may be a problem with the water heater. If the water heater is losing efficiency, then it will make it more difficult for it to produce the same amount of hot water without using more energy, which raises the water heating costs. 

If any of these problems occur with a home’s water heater, the homeowners should call a professional plumber to determine whether or not a replacement is needed. They can install a new water heater if necessary. In general, homeowners can expect their water heaters to last about 10 years, so if it’s experiencing problems and is over 10 years old, a replacement is likely necessary. 

About Plumb Perfect Plumbing

Plumb Perfect Plumbing has more than 20 years of experience serving Fredericksburg, VA, and the surrounding areas. They offer flat rate pricing, financing, and 7 days a week service. Call them today for water heater services in Fredericksburg, VA. 

• 
  +
• 
  +
• 
  +