Your water heater is one of the most vital components of your home, and it is there to serve and protect you at all times. This implies that if something goes wrong with it, it’s critical to have it replaced before it entirely ceases working. However, you might wonder if it’s even necessary to replace your water heater in the first place. Here are some of the reasons why should I replace my water heater before it fails.
Water Heaters: An Overview
When looking into water heaters, you might wonder, how long should a water heater last? However, the sort of water heater you have, rather than its size, determines its lifespan. They usually divide water heaters into two types.
They used a big tank of standing water in traditional water heaters. Someone heats this water continuously throughout the day to ensure that people have hot water when needed.
A more recent option is a tankless water heater like the Rinnai RU199iN. These heat water on-demand and create hot water practically instantaneously. A gas burner or electric coils generates the hot water in tankless water heaters. BUY ON AMAZON
Electric Tankless water heaters, such as the Ecosmart ECO choices, have a longer service life and require less maintenance than standard water heaters. If it has a tank, a 15-year-old water heater may need to be replaced, but a tankless water heater should last several more years. BUY ON AMAZON
There are many causes for either of these water heaters to fail, ranging from age to sediment buildup. Waiting till this happens, on the other hand, could mean disaster for your home, which is why you should consider a replacement now.
How Do You Know When To Replace A Hot Water Tank?
Some people may be unaware that their household appliances are malfunctioning. It’s critical to know what to check for if your water heater does need to be replaced. If you have any of the issues listed below, it may be time to replace your water heater.
Consider these factors while deciding whether or not should I replace my water heater before it fails. Tankless water heaters often have a 20-year or longer lifespan. Traditional water heaters with standing water tanks often last 10 to 15 years before showing indications of wear and tear. If your water heater is old or broken, you may want to consider preemptive water heater replacement to save time, money, and aggravation.
1 – Noises
It’s a sign that the sediment at the bottom of the tank has solidified if you hear pops or crackling noises coming from the water heater. It causes your heating source to work extra, increasing your energy expenses and decreasing the efficiency of your water heater. You might also notice that the water is taking longer to heat. This problem can be avoided by draining your water at least once a year or having it drained by a professional plumber.
However, draining the water heater is no longer an option after the silt has hardened. It will shatter and leak at some point.
2 – Leaks
It’s time to replace your water heater if you already have leaks. A buildup of pressure inside the tank frequently caused leaks. This symptom could indicate a faulty relief valve or excessively high pressure or temperature. Regardless, if you find leaks, it’s a warning that you must immediately replace your system.
3 – A Temperature Shift in the Water
When your water heater fails, you may also notice a shift in the temperature of your water. If you have a problem with your gas burner or an electric coil, or if there is sediment accumulation, your water heater may stop generating hot water dependably.
It may be time to replace your unit if you can’t get your water hot enough or if you’re experiencing variable temps.
4 – Age
Keeping track of when each unit in your home was purchased is a good idea. If you don’t know how old your water heater is, you may find out by calling the manufacturer and giving them the model number. Water heaters have an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years. If your water heater is over ten years old, they should replace it. If it’s getting close to 8, you might want to put money aside for a replacement and store it in your emergency fund.
5 – Water from Faucets Is Discolored
Another symptom that your water heater is failing is murky or rusty water. The coating on water heater tanks reduces corrosion, but it doesn’t stay forever. Rust occurs quickly once the coating begins to thin.
Rusty water is one sign that your hot water tank is failing. It isn’t inherently harmful to your health but can discolor and damage appliances. It’ll also be unpleasant to eat. Changing the anode rods can help your device last longer if the problem is minor. Also, think about flushing it.
6 – Damage That Can Be Seen
If visible rust or cracks appear, water heater repairs or replacement may be required. A professional can occasionally repair these problems, but if your water heater is older, you’ll need to replace it.
Even if repairs are possible, a 20-year-old water heater is nearing the end of its service life and will need to be replaced. If you discover any damage, you should consider whether or not to replace your 20-year-old water heater.
The Gains of Replacing Water Heater before It Stops working
Is it necessary to replace a water heater before it fails? Perhaps you’re asking why you can’t just repair it. It should replace water heaters before they fail for a variety of reasons. While repair is possible, if your water heater is old or has significant problems, we recommend it to replace it. Here it is a few reasons why should I replace my water heater before it fails:
1 – Protect Your Home from Harm
When a water heater breaks down, it exposes your home to several dangers. One results from a leaking tank. It’s usually beyond the scope of hot water heater repair when it leaks. To avoid additional damage, cut off the water supply and power to the unit if you find the tank is leaking. Leaking and pooling water, depending on where the water heater is installed, can cause severe damage to floors, walls, furniture, and personal possessions.
If your water heater bursts, you could end up with 50 gallons of water in your basement, laundry room, or garage. Preventing catastrophic failure with routine maintenance is a good idea. Checking and replacing the corrosive anode rod, which attracts corrosive substances, will help preserve the tank from corrosion and rust. Water damage in your home can lead to mold and mildew, which can cause even more damage and put your family’s health in danger.
2 – If Your Water Heater Breaks Out, You May Be Without Hot Water for Several Days
Nobody wants to take cold showers or waste time boiling water and moving it to the bathtub merely to wash their hands. Waiting for professionals to install a new heater might take several days to come to your property. If you decide to replace your water heater before it breaks down, you can schedule the installation whenever it is most convenient.
3 – A New Water Heater May Help You Save Money on Your Utility Expenses
You’ll have to spend money on a new water heater, but it will immediately pay for itself through lower energy costs. Because water heating expenditures are second only to space heating and cooling, you could see a speedy return on your investment.
4 – By Replacing Your Water Heater before It Breaks, You May Avoid the Stress of Making a Hasty Decision
You’ll be able to explore alternative types and models of heaters if you replace the water heater before it breaks down. You’ll have more time to determine whether you want a tankless or solar-powered heater. If you’ve observed that your family never seems to have enough hot water, now is an excellent time to update to a larger tank to meet everyone’s demands. If your heater breaks down unexpectedly, you’ll likely be focused on replacing it as soon as possible without having time to examine other possibilities, leaving you with a decision you’ll regret later.
5 – A Rusted Water Heater Can Be Pretty Dangerous
It included a sacrificial anode rod with every water heater. They surround this little piece of steel with aluminum, magnesium, or zinc to attract corroding compounds in the water and protect the tank from rusting. Your water heater may suffer if it does not replace this rod every few years. If the tank rusts through, it may fail catastrophically, flooding your property. You can avoid this calamity if you replace your water heater before it fails.
6 – The Efficiency 0f a Water Heater
Your 15-year-old water heater may still produce hot water, but at what cost? Water heaters, such as the Rheem RTEX-13, have come a long way in the previous 15 years, and your 15-year-old water heater is probably not the most energy-efficient. BUY ON AMAZON
In addition, if your water heater is on its way out and isn’t working correctly, it will have to turn on more frequently to keep the water at a specific temperature, increasing your utility bills. A new energy-efficient water heater could help you save money on your power bills. The return on investment will be apparent almost immediately.
Conclusion
Why should I replace my water heater before it fails? There are several reasons why you might wish to replace your water heater. Water heaters sometimes fail unexpectedly, so if yours is old or has had problems in the past, replacing it may be a good idea. Several other reasons you should replace your water heater as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: If your current heater is still under warranty, the manufacturer should cover the cost of repairs. If the warranty has expired, you’ll need to examine the situation before choosing whether or not it’s worth it to repair the heater. Repair a heater if it’s only a few years old (and) the repairs will cost less than half the price of new equipment, according to a rule of thumb.
A: If a water heater has a severe leak, it will almost certainly need to be replaced, regardless of age. The interplay of steel and minerals in water can corrode tanks and cause leaks. Because the problem frequently stems from an internal failure, repairing a leaking heater is not a simple task.
A: Explosions caused by water heaters are relatively rare, but when they occur, the results can be catastrophic. The following are a few warning signs that the heater is on the verge of bursting. They typically locate the pressure release valve just on the side of the heater, somewhere close to the top.
A: Electric water heaters have a high risk of exploding. That isn’t to mean that you shouldn’t be concerned. Water heaters that have been installed and maintained correctly seldom fail, and having your water heater installed and serviced by a qualified expert is always the best alternative.