Before initiating a Redwood City water heater replacement project make sure you actually need to replace and not just repair your unit. The following are 5 signs that it’s time to start on your Redwood City water heater replacement project.
Sign 1: Your Water Heater is Old
If your water heater is “old”—meaning you’ve had it for at least 8 years—and it’s having issues, it’s probably time to replace it. The average water heater has a life expectancy of 8 to 12 years. This of course depends on a number of other factors (e.g., water quality, location, installation, etc.), as well. If your water heater isn’t very old and has never had problems in the past, it’s very possible your unit only requires repair and maintenance.
Sign 2: Your Water Heater is Noisy
If your water heater is making loud noises that sound like knocking or popping, it could be a sign replacement is needed. There are several reasons a water heater could be making noises. One is sediment buildup. Ideally, you should flush out your water heater annually to prevent buildup from happening. We recommend you hire a licensed plumber to flush out your unit. If the noise doesn’t go away after flushing and gets increasingly louder, it might be time to replace the unit.
Sign 3: There’s Rust Coming Out With the Hot Water
If your hot water is coming out of the pipes with rust in it, call a professional plumber immediately. Rust-colored water could indicate that your water heater has rusted on the inside and is now contaminating your water supply. If this is the case, you’ll want to replace your water heater. A professional can help you diagnose where the rust is coming from, be that the water heater or the pipes.
Sign 4: Your Water Heater is Leaking
If your water heater is leaking, it’s important to determine where the leak is coming from as soon as possible. Is the leak simply coming from a loose connection or fitting? Or is it more serious? Over time a metal water heater can develop fractures from expanding, in which case replacing the unit may be your best option. The faster a leak is identified the less likely the leak is to cause serious property damage. Unattended leaks could result in expensive repairs. Call a trusted plumbing professional to find the cause of the leak and see if your water heating unit requires replacement.
Sign 5: There’s Not Enough Hot Water
If you start noticing that you’re running out of hot water faster than usual, it could be a sign your water heater needs replacing. As water heaters age, they naturally will get worse at heating water. In addition, sediment buildup at the bottom of your water heater tank causes your unit to lose capacity over time. If this is the case, you may want to consider a replacement.
Get Started on Your Water Heater Replacement Project
Now that you’ve determined that you need to replace your water heater unit, it’s time to find a qualified professional to help. At Performance Plumbing, we’re ready to help with your Redwood City water heater replacement project and any other related questions. Now might also be the perfect time to consider upgrading your water heater to a tankless system or increasing the volume of your tank. Call us or send us an email and we’ll help you get started on your Redwood City water heater replacement project!