How to Tell If You Need a New Water Heater

Water heaters are probably one of the most neglected appliances in homes today. Despite the fact that they actually need routine service and maintenance, most people don’t give their water heater a second thought until it has a problem. At that point, you may very well wonder whether your water heater can be repaired or whether you must replace it.

Here are 6 possible signs that could mean a water heater replacement is in your future:

• Old Water Heater: Most water heaters have a service life of about 15 years. However, this can be reduced significantly if you don’t get the necessary water heater maintenance. So, if you can’t remember the last time you serviced your water heater or the exact date when it was purchased, it is quite likely you are due for a replacement.
• No Hot Water: Obviously, if your water heater is not producing any hot water at all this is a big problem. If you’re lucky, the problem might be something as simple as a blown-out pilot light or a heating element that needs replacing. But in some cases, no hot water may be a sign your unit is beyond repair.
• Lots of Repairs: At some point, it stops being cost-effective to continue repairing an old, ailing water heater. If you have had to make frequent repairs to your unit, the next time a problem crops up you may be better off replacing it instead of repairing it.
• Weird Water: If your hot water faucets are putting out rusty, smelly, or sediment-laden water, this could be a sign of a problem with your pipes or your water heater. Your water heater tank might be getting corroded or clogged up with minerals from your water supply, or it might have bacteria that are making your water smell foul. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need a new water heater.
• Noises: Excessive buildup of mineral scale inside your water heater tank can cause problems with your heating element, which may result in popping or crackling noises. Depending on the amount of buildup and damage, you may have to get a new water heater rather than just cleaning the current one.
• Leaks: If you notice leaks around your water heater tank, you might just have a loose connection somewhere. But it is also possible that the leak is coming from the tank itself due to corrosion, in which case you will need a new water heater.