When Should I Replace My Water Heater?

As with most home appliances, your water heater will start to deteriorate and eventually break down over years of use. No one likes a cold shower or dirty dishes, so ideally, you should be replacing your water heater before it completely stops working. Should you wait too long, you'll be left with much bigger problems - aside from a frigid shower - like a leak, which leads to major water damage throughout your home.

If you are having plumbing issues with your water heater and it is more than 10 to 15 years old, Roto-Rooter recommends you replace it for a newer more energy-efficient model.

The cost for this plumbing repair and time it would take to rebuild the old water heater will probably be the same as replacing it with a new water heater. You also run the risk of the old unit failing within a few years.

Compare your old model to a newer more energy-efficient model. You may be able to conserve more heat and energy to eventually pay for the new water heater.

Also look into a tankless water heater. They do not store hot water and are extremely energy efficient. Learn more about tankless water heaters as provided by the U.S. Department of Energy.

SIGNS IT’S TIME TO REPLACE YOUR WATER HEATER

Here are five clues that it's time to replace your water heater:

RUST AND CORROSION

Keep an eye on your tank and occasionally check for any rust or corrosion that might have built up over the years. There are two specific areas that you should keep an extra eye on: around the temperature and pressure relief valves, and the inlet and outlet connections.

WATER DISCOLORATION AROUND THE HEATER

If you spot rusty water coming from the heater, this is usually a clear indication that the inside of your tank is rusting. This will eventually turn into a leak, so you should have your water heater replaced as soon as possible.

POOLING AROUND THE HEATER

Take a walk around the unit and look for any pooling. If you notice a little moisture, there's most likely a leak or fracture inside the tank. The reason your tank might be leaking is because as the metal heats, it expands and then cracks, forcing water out through the lesions.

SLOW LEAKS

If you maintain a schedule and pay attention to your water heater a small leak can be easily treated and fixed. But for those who neglect their water heater, a large leak will cause major problems and you’ll probably need to replace your water heater.

COLD OR LUKEWARM WATER

A tell tale sign of being in need of a new water heater is if you crank the faucets up in your shower, but still experience cold or lukewarm water as opposed to your desired bathing temperature. In most cases this is a strong indication that your water heater might be beyond repair and must be replaced.

QUESTIONABLE NOISES

If it sounds like there might be a thunderstorm in your basement or a stampede of safari animals, chances are something is going on with your water heater. As your tank ages, residue starts to build on the bottom. When the sediment heats up, it eventually hardens and will bang against the heater - that's where the loud rumbling noise is coming from. With the banging noises comes leaking, so it's best to replace your heater as soon as you start to hear unusual sounds.

DRAINING

Sediment is created when hard water is heated. If the buildup of sediment is not properly drained from time to time it will eventually insulate the bottom of the tank. This will cause it to overheat and melt away the protective glass lining. At this point, a replacement will be your only option. Think ahead and drain to avoid this cost.

ANODE

An anode is screwed into the tank and serves to prevent rust buildup in the tank. It does this by physically connecting two metals in the water and one corrodes away in order to protect the other. This is the reason that they are often referred to as ‘sacrificial anodes’. An anode's life depends on the quality of the water, the amount of use the tank gets, the water temperature, and the quality of the tank -- meaning how well it was constructed. When salt is added to the water (as in softened water), anodes corrode more quickly. Even with being diligent about routine maintenance, sometimes things go awry with appliances. When this happens, ask a professional plumber to give you an estimate about the repair and its cost. It may be more cost effective to replace it then try to fix it. By knowing the difference between the big repairs and what can easily be fixed yourself, you will be better equipped to judge when it’s wise to move forward with a water heater replacement and when it’s best to make the small fixes.

WHY WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT IS BEST LEFT TO THE PROFESSIONALS

No matter what the diagnosis is, it's important that you leave replacing your water heater to the professionals, and here's why:

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS

In 2015, the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act mandated that water heaters manufactured after April 16 had to meet updated requirements for energy consumption. While this move will no doubt save homeowners and the government a lot of money on their energy bills, homeowners now have to be doubly careful when selecting their hot water heaters – you'll need to specify that you want a unit compliant with the new energy-efficient standards. A plumbing professional can help you find the right one – whether it's a tankless water heater, a hybrid heat fixture or one that works via solar power.

EXPERTISE ON HAND

Water heaters are bulky, and there is a protocol for disposal of these fixtures. A certified plumbing expert like the ones at Roto-Rooter can help make sure you're following all the proper guidelines for disposing of your unit and provides handy assistance for carrying it out of your home. In addition, plumbers have access to all the tools you'll need for extraction of the old unit and installation of the new.

When it's time to replace your water heater, give the professionals at Roto-Rooter a call. We'll be able to help you choose the right tank, replace the unit and dispose of your old one properly – so you don't have to. Get in touch today.

FOR THE DIY HOMEOWNER: REMOVING AN OLD WATER HEATER

Older water heater models may not have drain valves at the bottom of the tank making it harder to drain the water prior to replacing. If you cannot drain from the bottom through a valve, licensed plumbing specialists would suggest you drain the water from the top. Although a simple plumbing repair for plumbing contractors, a homeowner may need some assistance.

Remove all of the lines and lay the water heater near a floor drain. Attach a hose thread adapter to the top of the water heater pipe. Then after attaching a hose to the top of the water heater, lay the water heater down to drain. Leave the lead from the water heater open so air can get inside the tank for a faster drain. Also, push the open-end of the tank up so that it also draws the air.

We can help with this or any other plumbing repair. If you need assistance, call us at 1-800-GET-ROTO or use our convenient online scheduling system.