Your water heater is arguably one of the most underappreciated major appliances in your home. You likely don’t stop to think about how much of your daily routine depends on your water heater running properly. Taking a hot shower, a warm bath, running your dishwasher and disinfecting clothing and bedding are just a few examples of the home comforts that rely on hot water.
Proper maintenance is important in extending the life of your water heater by decreasing the development of leaks and damage to your tank and eliminating the feared call for emergency repair citing no hot water in the home.
Here are a few common indicators that there may be a concern with your water heater:
Rusty Water
If the water from your water heater becomes discolored, there is a strong chance that your water heater is rusting on the inside, which could lead to a leak and contaminated water.
Noises Coming From the Water Heater
Knocking or booming sounds coming from your water heater can be a indication that residue has built up on the foundation of the system. This means that your water heating system will be less efficient and will require more gas or electricity to heat your water, causing higher heating bills. In addition, the increased effort needed to heat your water could produce more damage to your system, leading to cracks and leaks.
A Noticeable Leak
The most prevalent cause of failure of residential water heaters is a leak from the tank. If you see water around your tank, you presumably have a leak. And if your water heater sits in your attic or above the first floor, the risk for catastrophic damage rises. If you find that your water heater is leaking, call the experts immediately. Even a minor leak can grow fast and cause expensive damage to your home.
Not Enough Hot Water Available
If you’re getting zero, or very little, hot water out of your tap, the problem could be the pilot light on your water heater unit. If you’re not sure how to investigate the pilot light, call in the experts to manage the problem.
Water is Too Hot or Too Cold
If your running water is either too hot or too cold, there is a reasonable chance that you have the incorrect size water heater to accommodate your living space and the number of people depending on hot water in your home. If a gas water heater is undersized, the system will break down in a shorter period of time.
Age of Your Water Heater
The average lifespan of residential water heaters that have had proper maintenance is between ten and fifteen years. Even if there are no outward signs of an issue, a water heater that is ten years or older is at greater risk of producing a leak resulting in water damage to your home. Maturing water heaters are nothing to brush aside. If you are unsure of the age of your water heater, check the identification sticker on the unit, where the manufactured date should be listed with the serial number.
The Service Experts Plumbing Team can help by fixing leaks, installing low-flow fixtures and consulting with you on possible energy-efficient upgrades. And if you discover it isn’t cost-effective to have a repair done, Service Experts can recommend a new water heater that will meet your household demands and work within your budget. Options include ENERGY STAR®-rated traditional tank water heaters or energy-efficient tankless water heater units. No matter the type of system you have, if you’ve neglected your water heater, call the experts at or request an appointment online.