Your water heater is conceivably one of the most underrated major appliances in your home. You likely don’t stop to consider how much of your daily routine depends on your water heater performing 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 maintaining 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 problem with your water heater:
Rusty Water
If the water from your water heater looks discolored, there is a strong chance that your water heater is rusting on the inside, which could casue a leak and contaminated water.
Noises Coming From the Water Heater
Knocking or booming sounds coming from your water heater can be a signal 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 hefty heating bills. In addition, the extra effort needed to heat your water could create more damage to your system, leading to cracks and leaks.
A Noticeable Leak
The most common cause of failure of residential water heaters is a leak from the tank. If you see water around your tank, you likely have a leak. And if your water heater resides in your attic or above the first floor, the risk for catastrophic damage climbs. If you find that your water heater is leaking, call the experts immediately. Even a minor leak can escalate 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 familiar with how to investigate the pilot light, call in the experts to address the problem.
Water is Too Hot or Too Cold
If your running water is either too hot or too cold, there is a strong 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 disregard. 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 find 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.