Your hot water system is probably one of those appliances that you would be lost without. Here is a list of signs to determine when your hot water heater needs to be replaced.
Does your hot water system need replacing?
Key Signs your hot water system needs replacing:
- The tank leaks
- Lifetime of the system
- Cold or lukewarm water
- Rust
- Noise
The hot water tank leaks
Hot water systems that leak can lead to flooding or other serious failures that can also damage your home. Even though it might be tempting to ignore that insignificant leak you’ve been noticing, it is advisable to reach for the phone and search for ‘plumbers near me’ to get help immediately. The leak might manifest itself as a visible one or you may just notice water around the appliance. In either case, find out whether the leak is coming from the valves or the tank itself. If the leak comes from valves, it can be repaired but if it is on the tank itself, you’ll have to replace the system.
Lifetime of the hot water system
Generally, a standard heater has a lifespan of 8 to 12 years. However, this depends on how well you’ve been maintaining the system. Along with the usual lifetime of a system, find out whether you’ve been using hard water of soft water to further determine if your heater needs replacing. Hard water tends to break down the hot water unit faster. After 10 to 12 years of usage, most systems will need to be replaced.
Cold or lukewarm water
When your heater starts to supply cold or lukewarm water in place of hot water as indicated by the thermostat, you’ll need to consider replacing it. Try adjusting the thermostat and if there seems to be no change in temperature, your heating element is in trouble. It is probably burning out and you need to call your plumber.
Rust is your enemy
If you start noticing rust in the water flow from the taps and showers, the system is probably at the end of its life. Rust in water is a serious indication that calls for action. The heater is possibly worn out and can be damaging the entire plumbing system. Nevertheless, there is no need to frantically search for ‘hot water systems’ at the first sign of rust. It could be a problem with your galvanised piping. Call a Baldivis plumber to find out the real source of the problem before you replace a functioning system.
No one likes a noisy hot water system
Hot water systems start to make noises when they reach the end of their designated life spans. The rumbling sound you hear usually indicates that the unit is wearing off. This is caused by sediment building up around the heater which then proceeds to corrode the heating elements. If you hear such a noise, look into replacing your unit.
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