How Long Does a Water Heater Last

How Long Does a Water Heater Last

A failing water heater is a serious risk. Not only have water heaters been known to explode, but they can also cause severe flooding within your house. As a homeowner, you should always be on the lookout for signs of damage to your water heater that may point to imminent failure. Here are a few of the things you should be watching for in your home:

The Water is Changing Colors

As water heaters age, they collect sediment in the bottom, and they begin to rust. The longer this goes on, the more it will affect the color of your water. A water heater that is rusting through will start to produce cloudy, rust-colored water that just doesn’t look right. If the water is just cloudy or muddy looking, it is possible that you can clean the sediment out of the bottom, but if rusting has begun, you’re in trouble. Either way, you should call a professional before you proceed.

Your Water Heater Just Turned 10 Years Old

The fact of the matter is that all water heaters have a limited lifespan. At the high end, a water heater might last for up to 15 years, but 10 years tends to be the point where we start seeing a loss of efficiency and minor repairs. For some people, it’s worth the risk to wait, but if your water heater is located in an area where flooding will cause serious damage to the rest of the house, you definitely want to be more proactive about having it replaced.

You Hear Noise Coming from Your Water Heater

A water heater in good condition should not produce any noise at all. If you hear banging, rattling, burbling or popping, it is time for a replacement. These noises are caused by sediment buildup within the inner tank that has solidified and damaged the internal tank or the heating elements. This is also the culprit that causes exploding water tanks to happen. You don’t want to hang around and see what happens next.

Your Water Tastes and Smells Metallic

That unmistakable metallic taste is a sign of things going wrong inside your water heater. Usually, it is a sign that your tank is starting to rust and flake on the inside, and those tiny metal flakes are mixing into the water you are using. You are consuming them when you drink the water, cook with the water, or brush your teeth. Scheduling a water heater replacement is a good idea when you start noticing the smell, long before you start tasting it.

You Have No Hot Water

Obviously, if your water is just not getting hot anymore, it could be a sign that your water heater has reached the end of its useful life. In some cases, it may just be that the heating element has gone bad, but if you try replacing the element and adjusting the heat settings and nothing improves, it’s time to go shopping for a new water heater altogether.

In general, this process will happen slowly at first. The water will start to get gradually cooler as the system wears down, and you may not notice it happening right away. In other cases, the water may only heat intermittently or very slowly.

There is Moisture On the Tank

A water heater is made up of multiple layers of tanks. These layers provide some insulating properties to keep the water inside hot while the outside of the tank is more of a protective layer. If there is a leak on the inside of the system, it could be letting the hot water inside into the middle layers. This will cause a buildup of condensation on the tank, which will eventually run down and cause a pool of water around the tank. There may be no visible leak because the water itself is still inside the tank where it belongs.

It is always best to have your water heater installation done before your floor is flooded. If you see any of these signs that your water heater is on its way out, you will want to call Day and Night Air in Phoenix to schedule your water heater assessment. If you wait too long, you could be in for some major repairs and cleanup. The cost of a new water heater today is far less than the cost of a new water heater after the system has failed and caused massive damage to your home and belongings. Plus, the safety and peace of mind that come with a new system is well worth the money.

Signs that Your Water Heater Needs to Be Replaced