Signs Your Water Heater May Be Broken

Having warm running water is something that most households enjoy but need daily for a comfortable life, from taking a nice hot shower or bath to washing our hands or doing the laundry or dishes. The average person uses hot water on several occasions every day. The fact that we can turn a faucet and a water supply comes out of a tap is one of the many modern indoor plumbing comforts we enjoy. Sooner or later, there will be a hiccup in the works, and our water heaters will go out. Even the best and most maintained water heaters have a lifespan of roughly a decade. If your water heater is over eight years old, it may begin to show signs that it will need to be replaced.

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Signs that it is time to replace your water heater

Rusty colored water

As the steel used on the tank and perhaps the pipes or valves of the water heater age, they will begin to rust. It is not a good thing to have rust in your tap water, and a local plumbing company should be called as soon as this problem is noticed. Not only is rust hard on your utilities and pipes, but it is also harmful to ingest for humans and animals. Rust weakens the metal, and if the issue is not addressed, you will risk a hidden water leak or, worse, a fully cracked water tank.

Strange noises from the water heater

Fortunately, our pipes and utilities often provide warning signs when something is wrong. Water heaters are no different and will create strange-sounding noises while operating. One of the most common is a rumbling or even popping sound from the tank. Over time, sediment will build up on the bottom of the tank and harden. When you hear these noises, it can indicate that the heating elements inside the heater have large amounts of minerals caked on them.

The heater is not working correctly.

Have you noticed that you have had a lack of hot water recently? Is your water heater no longer keeping up with the needs of your home? Many reasons could lead to a lack of hot water when needed. Common issues range from a broken heating element but could also result from a leak. In some cases, the water heater has not been correctly flushed for an extended period, and there is a need for more space in the tank to hold water like it used to. Perhaps your family has grown, and the tank you have installed is too small for the needs of your household.

Call water heater experts today.

Plumbing Utah Heating & Air is here to help every home and business in or around Salt Lake City with their water heating needs. Call us at (801) 601-1298 to schedule an appointment with a professional. Our experienced plumbers can fix a broken water heater or help install a brand-new unit. They will also be able to provide information about tankless water heaters to help provide a constant flow of hot water once and for all. Tankless water heaters use a stainless steel coil heat exchange that is rust-proof. It will help keep your water cleaner than the traditional water heaters with tanks.