With winter just around the corner, you might be considering starting on that Mountain View water heater replacement project you’ve been thinking about. We’re here to help! We’ve put together this quick guide to help you decide if it’s time to move forward with your Mountain View water heater replacement project.

Old Water Heaters Might be Costing You Money

Old water heaters can be more than just prone to problems—they can be less efficient and more expensive to run. The average water heater is expected to last around 8 to 12 years. Water heaters of this age are considered old and are likely to start exhibiting signs of age. If your water heater is old and you’re experiencing problems it might be a sign that it’s time to replace your water heater. Water heaters younger than 8 years may only require some maintenance and repair. Don’t forget that regular maintenance of your water heater will help prolong its life!

Leaky Water Heaters Could a Sign of Bigger Problems

If you’ve noticed water around your water heater, it’s important to identify where the leak is coming from immediately. Leaks from a water heater could come from a number of sources. Maybe one of the connections is loose and just requires some tightening. Or maybe you only need to adjust the water pressure or replace a valve. Whatever it is, have a qualified plumbing professional like Performance Plumbing check on your unit and determine the cause of the leak. If your unit is older, it could be that fractures have developed in the metal tank from years of contracting and expanding. If this is the case, it may be time to replace your water heater.

Rust in the Water is Red Flag

Rust-colored water coming out of your faucets can be very alarming. Call a plumber immediately if you notice a change in the color of your water. There are several reasons your water might be a rusty color. If you notice the color coming out only when using hot water, there is a good chance that your water heater tank has rusted inside and is contaminating your water. If the color is also appearing when cold water is being used, it could be a sign that the pipes have cracked or rusted and need immediate attention. Either way, this is not something that should be ignored.

Lack of Hot Water

The last thing you want is to run out of hot water at the beginning of your shower. You also don’t want to be waiting 20 minutes for your water to heat up. If you find yourself suddenly in low supply of hot water, it could be an indication that your water heater is not working efficiently and might need replacing. Water heaters should be flushed out regularly to prevent sediment buildup at the bottom of your tank. Sediment buildup will cause your unit to lose capacity over time, resulting in less hot water. If your water heater is older, know that it’s normal for the unit to become less efficient over time, and it might just be time to get a new one.

A Noisy Unit is an Annoying Unit

A water heater should not be making loud knocking or popping noises. If your unit is making loud noises, it could be indicative of a bigger problem. Sediment buildup could be the cause of these noises. You could try flushing out your unit, which should be done regularly to maximize efficiency, and see if the noises stop. If the flushing doesn’t resolve the knocking, it might be time to replace your unit.

Call Now to Start Your Water Heater Replacement Project

Once you’ve decided your water heater needs replacing, finding the right plumbing company to help you is imperative. Contact Performance Plumbing and we can address any questions you might have about your Mountain View water heater replacement project. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll be happy to set up an appointment with you.