When you own a water heater, it is essential that you properly maintain it. You can use some safeguards to protect the family from any potential issues. These safety measures and tips will help ensure that your water heater is functioning correctly, operating safely, and providing plenty of hot water for your family on demand.
The water heater is a critical component of any home. How we take care of our water heaters is essential to their longevity and safety for future use.
Some water damage can be cleaned and replaced, but some damages cannot be fixed, such as a leaking pipe. To avoid having to replace the entire unit or repair damage from an older unit that is beyond repair, the following tips can help you ensure the longevity of your investment and help you work with a technician should you need to do any repairs on a water heater:
Signs your water heater is about to fail:
The first sign that a water heater is failing is when you notice the water pressure is lower. It could be due to a cracked pipe or possibly some other damage. The second sign that a water heater is failing is when you notice the temperature of the water in your tank has dropped too low. However, this can also occur if you have not used hot water frequently. The third and most definitive sign that a water heater has failed is when you hear noises from it. If it’s your shower and other hot water outlets, there may be pipes loose inside the unit, but if it’s anything else, such as a kitchen sink or bathtub, it’s probably loosening up from corrosion or rust.
The other sign that the unit is failing is when it doesn’t heat water. It may be due to an outlet that is not working correctly or a loose connection. You should take this problem seriously since the life of a water heater can be measured in years instead of years, and they are expensive to replace. Water heaters should be replaced every seven years.
It is according to the Energy Guide label on newer units. Older units can last much longer, but generally, a good rule of thumb is seven years plus the number of people who live in your home.
Another sign that the water heater is failing is when it leaks. Some signs can help you determine if a leak is occurring. The telltale odor of the water heater and the dye should appear in your toilet tank, but those are not always easy to notice.
The easiest way to determine if your water heater leaks are by monitoring the temperature at its main control valve. If it dips below 120 degrees F, a leak will likely occur, and you will need to have it repaired or replaced before any damage occurs.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, then there’s a problem with your water heater, and it’s time to get a technician in here immediately so that you don’t have expensive repair bills later on down the road.
Also, to know that the water heater is failing and needs to be replaced, look at the water heater. If the furnace is covered with rust or the tank rusts out, the water heater is nearing the end of its life, and you will want to replace it.
The other sign that a water heater is failing and needs to be replaced is if you tap on it and it sounds hollow. It indicates that there’s a crack inside of the tank that has weakened its structure. You should replace this unit immediately as failure could occur at any moment because it lacks structural integrity.
With proper maintenance, your water heater will last quite a while; however, if you do not follow these tips to get your water heater working properly, the potential for severe issues increases. It would help if you never let your water heater idle for too long or run for a long time without heating the water again. If you use hot water that is too hot, it can cause damage and even catch on fire. Even if you are using cold water, then it’s still vital that you change it out regularly. In addition, you should never place an appliance or pot on the opposite side of a water heater.
