Having a hot water system is one of the luxuries we never would want to lose. There’s nothing better than indulging yourself with a hot shower during the cold winter nights or refreshing yourself with a steamy bath after a hard day’s work.
When this trusty appliance bogs down or is forced to retire, you would surely go out scrambling for its replacement.
Proper care and regular maintenance can definitely prolong the lifespan of your water heater system. However, a time will come when the benefits the water heater provides will be surpassed by the troubles and headaches that tag along.
When do you know that it’s time to replace your hot water system?
Here are 10 signs that will tell you it’s time to replace your hot water system.
1. No Hot Water
What’s the use of a hot water system when the water that you get is not hot anymore? The once scalding hot water you seek is now lukewarm or annoyingly cold despite setting the temperature at the highest.
The reason for this is the minerals and sediments have already accumulated in the tank and have taken so much space limiting the storage for hot water.
2. Your Hot Water System is a Decade Old
All appliances are not meant to last forever, and that statement is applicable to your hot water system. Such systems have an average lifespan of 10 years.
If your heating appliance is more than a decade old, the best action for you is to purchase its replacement. If you’re fortunate enough, some water heating systems have warranties for up to 10 years. You can have that old hot water system replaced for free.
3. The Heating System Has Leaks
If you observe water coming out from places where it shouldn’t have, it means there’s a leak in your hot water system, and it’s never a good thing. Leaking is a sign that the integrity of the appliance’s parts has deteriorated.
Try to check where the leak is coming from. Leaks coming from valves can be rescued by replacing the damaged part. However, if the tank itself is affected, the only option for you would be a total system replacement.
4. You Hear Unusual Noises From the Heater
Hot water systems normally produce some small humming or whirring sounds when in operation. There’s nothing to worry about if you hear these kinds of sounds. Some appliances, on the other hand, barely make a sound.
However, if the produced sound is sort of a banging or rumbling noise, it means that it is not working properly anymore. Unusually loud noises indicate contact between the heating elements and the accumulating sediments around the heater.
5. The Water’s Odour Doesn’t Seem Right
If you smell some kind of metallic odour or rust while having a shower, your water heater is breaking down and needs to be replaced. Corrosion has started to creep in from the insides. The metals, minerals, and rust sediments you smell are potential health hazards.
You wouldn’t want to accidentally or deliberately ingest or even take a bath with water of this quality.
6. Presence of Signs of Rust and Corrosion
Just imagine taking a hot shower with your eyes closed and enjoying the warm water sprinkle on your skin. You then open your eyes and scream as you see rust and dark-coloured sediments all over your body.
This is not just a fictitious tale from a horror movie. It happens every time a hot water system starts to break down. It’s time to order that replacement.
7. You See Sediment in the Water
The presence of sediments is a tell-tale sign of corrosion. The innards of your hot water system are now deteriorating and the extent of the damage may be huge. The pipings, tubes and drains are sure to be affected.
We advise being also prepared for the frequent clogging and other unusualities that you’ll experience along with these sediments. The first thing for you to do is have the water system, as well as the connected plumbing system, inspected to make sure where the sediments came from.
8. Valves or Thermostat are Not Working
Valves get clogged over time while the thermostat cannot be able to produce the desired hot water once the system ages. When you observe these signs, it means your hot water system is getting old and it’s telling you to prepare for its retirement plan. It may be true that these parts can still be replaced but it won’t be long before other problems would be popping up like mushrooms.
9. Supply Can’t Keep Up With the Demand
The size of the water heater correlates to the size of the people using it. If your household has grown big, the heating cycle wouldn’t be enough to keep up with the demand. Its effectiveness will be affected and you’ll need to replace it with a bigger model.
10. Frequency of Repairs is Increased
As previously mentioned, a water heater that’s getting old will start to show problems and will need frequent repairs. The increased frequency of repairs will cost you a lot, that’s for sure. You’d rather buy a new hot water system before the repair expenses drive you insane.