Tank water heaters, like the rest of your appliances, have a limited lifespan. One day your tank water heater will break down, whether peacefully or in a way that causes major water damage. Knowing when to replace it is very important for protecting your house. When the time comes to replace it, consider replacing your tank water heater with a tankless model. These models are longer-lasting than tank models and have a variety of benefits from ditching the tank before it suffers a tank water heater failure.
Here are five signs of impending tank water heater failure:
1) RUSTY OR MUDDY WATER
Rust-colored water is often a sign that the water heater tank is corroding on the inside. Common places to see rust on the water heater include the tank seams, the water supply line, the drain valve, and the temperature and pressure release valves. Meanwhile, if the water looks muddy instead, the problem is from a sediment build-up in the tank. A tankless water heater doesn’t have to use a tank that can get corroded or filled with sediment.
2) AGE
A simple indicator of your water heater’s health is how long it’s been in operation. If you care for your tank water heater, it can last around ten to fifteen years. You can tell when your tank water heater was built by looking at the serial number. For instance, a number starting with ‘0206’ represents a water heater made in February (02) 20(06). Tankless water heaters can last over twenty years and are easier to maintain.
3) LOUD NOISES
It’s not uncommon for larger appliances, like your tank water heater, to make some noise when running. However, if you hear loud pops and cracks, there’s likely a lot of sediment in the tank. As sediment heats and cools, it eventually solidifies at the bottom of the tank. Pockets of air in that solidified mass make noise as they heat up. If the noise persists, the tank may be close to suffering from an internal failure. Tankless water heaters are smaller and more compact with more efficient technology that allows them to run much quieter and leaves less opportunity for loud noises.
4) LEAKING TANK
Puddles of water around your tank can be a major sign indicating impending internal failure. There’s no easy fix for this so you’ll have to replace the tank quickly to avoid further water damage. When taking out the tank, make sure the electricity or gas is disconnected so the water can cool before you move the tank. Again, tankless water heaters won’t have to worry about internal failure.
5) NOT ENOUGH HOT WATER
Sediment is not only capable of damaging the water heater’s tank, but it can also make it less efficient. When sediment builds up at the tank’s bottom, it blocks the burner from the water it heats. As a result, the burner has to work harder to produce the same amount of hot water. Not only is this more expensive for your energy bills, but it also hurts the burner’s overall lifespan. Tankless water heaters heat water as it moves through the pipe, so you don’t have to worry about wear and tear in a large tank.
What makes Daniel’s Plumbing & Air Conditioning one of the area’s best water heater companies?
Daniel’s Plumbing & Air Conditioning has been helping people around Austin, TX since 2005. Our mission is to offer exceptional customer service and superior craftsmanship in order to transform people’s perception of the service trades industry. We take pride in our community and want our customers to feel comfortable interacting with our team.