Water heaters rarely fail without warning. Catching the signs early lets you plan a replacement instead of dealing with a cold shower or a flooded garage.
1. Age
Check the serial number on the label; most manufacturers encode the year and month in it. Tank heaters commonly last around 8 to 12 years. If yours is in that range, start planning.
2. Rusty or discolored hot water
If only the hot water is rusty, the inside of the tank or the anode rod may be corroding. (If both hot and cold are discolored, the cause may be your pipes instead.)
3. Rumbling, popping or banging noises
These come from sediment layered at the bottom of the tank. Flushing can help, but in an older tank loud noises often mean the damage is done.
4. Water around the base
Check the fittings, valves and relief valve first. If water is coming from the tank itself, it can't be repaired, and the tank should be replaced before it lets go.
5. Not enough hot water
Running out faster than you used to can mean sediment buildup, a failing element or thermostat, or a heater that's simply too small for your household now.
6. Frequent repairs
If you've replaced elements, thermostats or gas valves more than once in a couple of years, the money is often better spent on a new unit.
Repair or replace?
A newer unit with a failed part is usually worth repairing. An older tank that's leaking, rusty or repeatedly failing is usually worth replacing. When you replace, consider whether a larger tank or a tankless unit would better fit your home, and ask about required code items like expansion tanks and drain pans.
Need help?
Our water heater repair & installation team serves Davie and all of Broward County. Call (954) 870-5492.