When Is It Time To Replace A Water Heater?

Depending on who you talk to, the expected lifespan of a typical water heater is between 8 and 15 years. The lifespan of your water heater at home can depend on quite a few factors, including the quality of the water heater, the amount of care you put into the water heater, whether or not you have hard water, how hard you use your water heater and so on. Unless you have psychic abilities, you have no way of knowing when your water heater will finally give out. It’s a good idea to start inspecting your water heater on a regular basis once it reaches about 7 or 8 years old.

Signs Your Water Heater is Going Bad

A classic sign that it’s time to replace your water heater is the dreaded puddle of water beneath the appliance. Usually when water heaters give out, they start leaking. However, this is not always the case. A few other signs that your water heater needs to be replaced includes:

• Your water heater has stopped heating your water, or does not heat as well as it used to. This could be a sign that the heating elements are no longer working properly.
• Your water heater is becoming very inefficient. Water heaters get more and more inefficient as they age. While this isn’t necessarily a sign that your water heater is going to break soon, inefficiency can lead your water heater to go bad more quickly, because it means that your water heater must work extra hard every day.
• It makes strange noises. Strange popping noises in your water heater can be indicative of sediment in the bottom of the unit. This sediment can make your water heater inefficient, which is bad for reasons described above.

Prolong the Life of Your Water Heater

It’s relatively easy to prolong the life of your water heater; all you have to do is perform a little annual maintenance.

• Empty the sediment in your water heater. This is especially important if your home has hard water. Emptying the sediment can make it easier for your water heater to do its job.
• Test the temperature pressure release valve. Doing this on an annual basis can literally prevent your water heater from exploding.
• Have your water heater serviced by a professional plumber. Working with a reputable, professional plumber can help ensure your water heater is in proper working condition.

Know Who to Call for a New Water Heater

At Terry’s Plumbing, we can diagnose problems with your water heater, perform yearly maintenance on your appliance and install a replacement appliance when your old water heater goes bad. If you live in Pittsburgh and suspect that your water heater needs professional attention, contact us today. We answer our phones 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, so you’re never alone with your plumbing problems.