How to Tell If Your Water Heater Is Broken?
- The water heater makes loud noises
- House runs out of hot water too fast
- Inconsistent water temperature
- Smelly or dirty hot water
- The water heater needs frequent repairs
- Spike in utility bills
The water heater provides a valuable service to the home by generating hot water for cleaning, bathing, and other daily tasks. Homeowners can extend their water heater's lifetime by regular water heater maintenance. However, no water heater can last forever. After around 10 to 15 years, it is usually time for a water heater replacement.
Other factors could affect the water heater's lifespan, such as how often the homeowners flush the tank. In this blog post, we go over three signs of a broken water heater that homeowners should be aware of. Knowing the signs of a broken water heater can help homeowners repair problems early on to prevent needing a water heater replacement.
Water Heater Is Making Loud Sounds
Flushing the tank as a part of water heater maintenance prevents sediment buildup. Sediment in the water tank comes from the natural minerals in the water, which separate into solids during the heating process. As the solids begin to build up, the sediment slurry rumbles around the tank's inside.
Broken water heaters may also make screeching or hissing sounds. A low hiss may indicate a leak in the water heater. Screeching noises most often come from a broken valve. Most water heaters use a valve system to control water flow, and too much sediment buildup can make the valves wear out faster.
Dirty & Stinky Water
Once the metal inside of the tank or the pipes has corroded, rust begins to form. Water from a broken water heater may have a rusty brown color due to particles of rust in the water. An anode rod is an important part of the water heater that prevents corrosion.
By attracting corrosive materials, the anode rod keeps them from affecting the water tank. When the anode rod is faulty or outdated, it may fail to prevent corrosion. Anode rod replacement or repair may be necessary to prevent corrosion from causing the water heater to break down.
Leaking Water Heater Tank
Another reason why it is important to schedule regular water heater maintenance to flush out the tank is because corrosion can eventually lead to a leaky water tank. When the water tank starts to leak, it is usually beyond repair.
Some leaks are an easy fix for an experienced plumber, but a leaky water heater is a serious hazard. It is best to be safe rather than sorry and replace leaking water heater tanks as soon as possible.
Homeowners looking for a water heater replacement that requires less maintenance and has a longer lifespan should consider installing a new tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters only heat the amount of water needed, which helps to reduce the home's carbon footprint and utility bills.
About B & D Plumbing, Heating & A/C
Water heater repair can be a complicated and dangerous task. Leave it up to the experienced professional plumbers at B & D Plumbing, Heating & A/C to get the job done right. They are St. Michael, MN's go-to plumbing company for water heater repairs, installation, and service. Give B & D Plumbing, Heating & A/C a call to schedule an appointment for water heater maintenance today!
