What was once considered a luxury is now an expectation in most American homes. Hot water makes everything from showering to washing dishes and laundry much easier and more effective. But how often do you check on the condition of your water heater? They last a while without issues, so it’s normal to forget about them a bit. However, if you miss signs of water heater issues, they can get worse and worse until you have a more serious problem on your hands. It could mean going without hot water until it’s repaired, or it could even mean a leak that causes water damage to your home. Stay on the lookout for these signs that your water heater needs to be repaired before it gets worse.
Like any machine, water heaters make noise as they run. But if your water heater is louder than usual or it’s making noises it hasn’t before like banging, cracking, or tapping, there could be a problem within your water heater.
A water leak is an obvious sign of an issue and should be addressed right away. Even if it’s only leaking a small amount, you don’t want to wait until the leak becomes unmanageable and floods your home.
Another clear sign of an issue is rust-colored water. If your water is discolored, chances are your water heater is deteriorating from the inside. As it corrodes, it releases rust into the water. This is a source of contamination, and it can lead to a serious leak.
Over time, your water heater will buildup minerals within it from the water it has processed. If enough builds up, it can start to contaminate your water and leave it with a rotten egg smell. If this happens, you’ll need your water heater cleaned out and the interior walls descaled.
No machine runs forever, no matter how well you maintain it. Most water heaters have a safe usable life of 10 to 12 years with appropriate maintenance. If your water heater has passed this age, you should consider replacing it. Even if there aren’t any immediate problems, it’s a higher risk for a serious issue to occur.
With winter coming up, making sure that your water heater is in tip-top shape is essential. It’s the hardest working time of year for it, and any minor issues can become major due to the increased workload. You don’t want to be stuck without hot water when it’s freezing outside. If you’ve noticed any of the signs we mentioned, don’t wait, let us fix your water heater right away. Our experts can get to the bottom of the issue and fix anything that’s wrong with your water heater.
Schedule an appointment today by calling us at (586) 315-4668 or sending in an online contact form!
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