How To Tell When It’s Time For A New One.
Your water heater is one of the most important—and most overlooked—appliances in your home. Without the hot water it provides, you’d have a lot harder time bathing and washing clothes and dishes.
That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your water heater and take good care of it. However, since it’s usually tucked away in a utility closet or attic, it’s easy to forget about it. We at Doug’s Refrigeration get that, so we’ve made a handy list of signs to help you know when you need to start planning to call us for water heater replacement.
5 Signs You Need A New Water Heater
1. Age
Most water heaters last for about 8-10 years before they need to be replaced. You can make your water heater last longer by having yearly maintenance done, but once it has passed 10 years of age, you should start budgeting for a replacement unit. You can check the age of your water heater by checking the serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker; the first two numbers are usually the year of manufacture, but you can look it up on the manufacturer’s website if you’re not sure.
2. Water Runs Cold
One of the earliest signs your water heater is dying is the water running cold earlier than it should. Unfortunately, this is also one of the easiest signs to ignore. The shower isn’t starting cold, after all; you can just take a shorter shower and worry about it later. But ignoring it could be the difference between getting away with a less expensive water heater repair and having to pay for a full replacement. So if your showers are turning into a race against the clock, don’t ignore it. Have a Doug’s plumber come check out your water heater.
3. Noisy Operation
Honestly, you shouldn’t be able to hear your water heater. If you can hear it working, that means it’s not working like it should be. In fact, rumbling and banging noises from your water heater mean it’s probably a ticking time bomb. Depending on how long it’s been making noise, it may need repair or it may need to be replaced. Call us to come evaluate your water heater before the situation gets any worse.
4. Rusty Water
If your water runs yellow or brown only when the hot tap is on, it’s a sign that your water heater is rusting from the inside. While there are steps you can take to prevent rusting, like adding a zinc anode rod to your water heater, there’s no way to save it once it has already started to rust. Rather than wait for the tank to spring a leak, go ahead and call Doug’s for a new water heater.
5. Leaks
Much like the rusty water situation, if your water heater is leaking, it’s toast. There’s just no getting around it. And if your water heater tank is leaking, you’re not just losing hot water with a leak; you’re putting your home at risk for serious water damage. Don’t risk mold growth and rotting floors. Have your water heater replaced right away.
Call Doug’s For All Your Water Heater Needs!
Do you see the signs of impending water heater failure in your Thibodaux or Houma area home? It could need repair or replacement, or maybe just some maintenance. Whatever your water heater needs, you can count on Doug’s to take care of it. Call us at (985) 746-1116 to schedule now!
