How to know when to replace your water heater

The way your home’s water is heated probably isn’t something that crosses your mind every day. It’s important, however, to stay proactive when it comes to maintaining your water heater. A water heater isn’t something you want to be without for very long. You need to wash clothes, do dishes and take hot showers, right? If you want your house to stay comfortable and cozy, you can’t simply react to any problems—you have to anticipate the problem before it happens. At Hillcrest Plumbing and Heating, we take care of our customer’s home improvement needs. Let our experts walk you through how your water heater works and how to recognize when it needs to be replaced.

How does your hot water heater work?

There are two main types of hot water heaters: tank heaters and tankless heaters. The tank variety is fairly easy to understand. Water is heated and then stored inside a large cylindrical container until it’s ready to be used. These tanks are fully equipped with insulation to keep your water warm. They operate in heating cycles so that your home doesn’t run out of hot water on a regular basis. Tankless heaters, on the other hand, heat water as it is used.

Signs that your hot water tank needs to be replaced

As a general rule, your hot water tank should be replaced roughly every ten years. If you happen to have a gas heated water tank, then this lifespan general gets knocked down to somewhere around 6 to 8 years. But there are other factors to consider beyond the age of your hot water tank.

1. Rust
   If rust develops on the inside of your tank—or on the inlet valve—it could result in you getting rusty water coming out of your faucet. On a long enough timeline, rust on your water heater is all but inevitable. If you see rust in your tap water, it’s time to call a plumber in New Westminster to install a new tank.
2. Leaks
   Metal expanding inside the tank generally causes leaks, which could lead to significantly damage being your property. As your heater goes through thousands upon thousands of heating cycles, the problem gets worse and worse. If water appears around the base of your tank, it’s time to call your Richmond heating expert.
3. Rumbling
   These noises are usually caused by sediment buildup at the bottom of your tank. If your heater isn’t too old, you can flush your tank. Otherwise, it’s about time to call a Tsawwassen plumber to have yours replaced.

If you’re looking for plumbers in North Vancouver, give us a call at Hillcrest Plumbing and Heating. We offer a variety of services. Visit us here to find out more about what we can do for you!