It’s my experience that Waterford, MI homeowners don’t give their water heaters a SECOND thought until the FIRST cold shower. Or, perhaps something even worse like a flooded basement after the tank bursts. In either case, chances are good there were warning signs that it was time for a water heater replacement. Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing wants to make sure you know what the common warning signs are.
- Old age
- To use the cliché sports fans are familiar with, “Father Time is undefeated.” Just another way of saying nothing lasts forever, least of all a water heater. Water heaters have an average life expectancy of 8-10 years. There can be problems earlier and some can last longer, but if yours is a decade old then a hot water replacement is the safe choice.
- A mortal enemy appears—rust
- Steel is strong, but it’s Kryptonite is rust. When corrosion appears, it is a warning sign not to be ignored.
- If rust appears in hot water coming from multiple fixtures, sinks, tubs & showers, chances are you have a rusty water heater.
- If there is rust around the pressure relief valve or the water inlet, there’s a good chance there’s also rust inside the tank.
- When rust appears the only safe option is a water heater replacement. There is no way to salvage an aging water heater once rust is present.
- Noisy water heater
- If you start to hear strange noises, often a rumbling sound, coming from a water heater it’s another sign of trouble. The good news is that in some cases this is due to sediment build up and it may stop after the water heater is flushed. If the sounds continue after flushing, it is a sign the water heater may be reaching the end of its life expectancy.
- Leaks appear
- When a water heater nears the end of its life expectancy the odds of a leak increase. When you see water on the floor around the tank it’s definitely time to think about a water heater replacement.
- Even a small leak can do big damage if it goes undiscovered. Soaked flooring may have to be replaced and there’s an increased risk of mold.
- The worst-case scenario is a small leak that turns into a big leak while you are away from home. Hundreds of gallons of water can quickly cause thousands of dollars in damage.
The bottom line
A water heater nearing the end of its life expectancy is nothing to mess around with. If that is your situation then call Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing for help. We can work with you to determine if a water heater replacement is the best choice for your Waterford, MI home and provide you with a no obligation estimate. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more great information about keeping your house safe and comfortable.
