If you are like most people, you have no idea how to know when your water heater is on the verge of failing. Before you panic and expect to see a flood of water around the unit, familiarize yourself with signs that indicate you may need water heater repair Kilmarnock VA.
Truthfully, things begin to happen long before you have a soggy carpet or hear water running under the garage. You can avoid the disruption and the inevitable damage from a failing water heater by watching for these four indicators.
Water Heater is More than 10 Years Old
Knowing the age of your water heater is very important. Any appliance that is in use for more than 10 years should be replaced. Although not recommended by professionals, you might be able to delay replacing a heater that leaks if it is located in an area of the house where no damage will occur if it fails completely.
This might buy you some time until a repair technician arrives. If a repair is not possible, you should consider replacing it as soon as possible. The optimal time is to replace the appliance before any symptoms of failure occur.
Rusty Water Comes from Heater
Rusty water that comes from the hot side pipe can indicate that the inside of your heater is rusting out. Expect a leak soon if you do not have it repaired or replaced.
An exception is if the piping in your home is galvanized. If so, it might be that the pipes are rusty. A DIY test before calling the professionals is to drain a few buckets of hot water. If by the third 5-gallon bucket the water is still rusty, it is the water heater, not the piping that is damaged.
Heater Begins to Make Rumbling Noises
An aging appliance will begin to have sediment build up on the bottom of the water tank. Eventually, heating and reheating this substance will cause it to harden. When this happens, banging and rumbling noises will start coming from the appliance as it heats up. This is a sure sign that it is nearing the end of its lifespan.
Water Stands around the Heater
There might be a small leak if you notice moisture around the heater. Slight fractures can cause greater leaks. Once it cools, the tank will stop leaking.
If a failing water heater concerns you after noticing any of the above signs, contact a repair company that can service your appliance as soon as possible.
