On average, American families use more than 300 gallons of water daily. About 40% of this water consumption occurs in the toilet and kitchen faucets. Water heaters play a vital role in ensuring that you get warm, running water whenever needed.
Nothing is more frustrating than coming home to a dysfunctional water heater. It’s worse during those frigid winters. But, how long do water heaters last?
Most Americans can’t decipher the signs that their water heater could be on the death bed. Has your water heater developed functionality challenges lately? Well, this could be a sign that all isn’t right.
If you have been wondering about the water heater lifespan, these seven signs should confirm that it’s time to replace your water heater.
How Long Do Water Heaters Last?
It may be hard to put a quantifiable timeline to your water heater’s lifespan. However, with these seven signs, you can approximate how long it might be before you call in experts for a water heater replacement.
- Rusty Water
Rusty water coming from the water heater may signify a significant problem. This is especially so if the rusty water comes from the hot side of the heater’s piping. Rusty water is an indicator that the water heater could be rusting away inside.
You may need to call in a plumbing expert to confirm that the rust is not a result of galvanized piping rusting away. Expert’s advice can help to determine whether it’s the piping or the water heater that’s at fault.
You may also run a few five-gallon buckets of water down the water heater to test the problem. If the water that comes out by the third bucket is still rusty, then you have the confirmation that the water heater and not the piping system is at fault.
- Your Water Heater Is Too Old
While it’s hard to put an exact lifespan to your water heater, nothing lasts forever. If you have been using the same water heater for more than ten years, then the time may soon be up. Most experts recommend water heater replacement by the tenth year.
You can check the serial number on the heater to confirm the year of manufacture. If you realize that your water heater is between eight and ten years, it would be wise to consider a possible replacement.
Beyond the tenth year mark, you can expect sudden failure, which might be frustrating. It would be better to act before the heater stops working.
- Rumbling Noise from Your Water Heater
Most water heaters have that subtle noise that is a common part of the functional process. However, when the sound is rumbling and coming straight from the tank, then this might spell trouble. One of the common reasons for water heater noise is the buildup of sediments at the bottom of the tank.
As the sediment buildup, the rumbling becomes more audible due to the need for the heater to work harder. Such rumbling sounds may also mark the beginning of accelerated damage. The heater might begin to leak from the bottom as the sediment’s weight becomes unbearable.
- Leaks Around the Heater
You need to pay attention to any instance of leakage around the water heater. Most people ask, “Is it dangerous to have a leaking water heater?” As the water reaches its lifespan, there’ll be an increased risk of water leaks, which can be detrimental.
Apart from reducing the actual flow of water, leaks on your water heater may pose a risk to property damage. In fact, a leaking water heater can be one of the most serious home maintenance concerns.
Your carpets, electronics, and furniture all stand the risk of potential water-related destruction. On top of this concern, you might also end up with mold stemming from the absorbed water. You may need to call in water heater repair experts immediately if you start to notice such leaks.
Are you asking how long do water heaters last? Well, once your water heater starts to leak, this is the surest indicator that it may be time to consider a replacement.
- Water Heater Not Heating
Water heaters play the primary role of heating water in your house. However, the moment the water heater shows the first sign of not heating, this could mean trouble. Before making any possible conclusion on the matter, it would help to consider expert opinion.
Once you consult the experts, they’ll guide you on whether the problem could be a tripped circuit breaker or a blown-up fuse. You’ll also get an expert opinion on whether there could be an issue with the thermostat. If neither of these checks surmounts over the problem, then it’s time to consider a replacement.
- Rising Heating Bills
Heating water eats up a considerable amount of energy, which trickles down to your monthly bill. Even so, you have an estimate of the amount of charges you expect each month. In case you experience a rise in the heating bill, which you can’t explain, it may be time to look for replacement options.
Rising heating bills are an indicator that your water heater may be facing functionality inefficiency. Such inefficiencies often signify that the water heater may be aging. You may call in an expert to confirm that the rising bills aren’t due to other underlying issues.
If your water heating bill has been on an upward spiral lately, it may be time to consider replacing the water heater. This would help minimize the risk of a sudden breakdown.
- Frequent Repairs
How many times have you called in a water heater repair expert in recent times? If these repairs total more than twice in the last year, then this could mean that your water heater is beyond temporal maintenance. It would help if you considered a more permanent solution to avoid incurring unnecessary costs.
The best option should be to consider the urgent replacement of the old water heater with a new one. However, it would help if you considered calling in a professional to help you install the new heater.
These Tell-Tale Signs Should Push You to Act
Water heaters are an integral part of any modern household. Even so, these fixtures are susceptible to wear and tear with age. A common question that most homeowners ask is, “How long do water heaters last?”
With these seven tell-tale signs, you should not wait until your heater stops working suddenly before you can act. As soon as these signs start to manifest, it should be an indicator that it’s time to act. Remember to rely on a trustworthy water heater repair company for any interventions.
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