As the weather changes from summer to fall & winter, there can be some water heater considerations.  Instead of waiting until you need costly repairs from a plumber or until you have a leak or no hot water, you can eye out for signs that you may need to replace the water heater soon.. Below, Stuart London with London Plumbing & Remodeling of Pine Grove, CA, shares some signs to watch for.

Water Heater “Caution Signs & Potential Problem Indicators:

1. Active leaking

Of course you need to get eyes on your water heater.  Many are installed in the garage or basement, but the water heater may be located in the laundry room or in a sub area or attic.  If there are any leaks or drips your water heater requires immediate attention.  Sometimes it’s just a bad valve or a leaky joint, other times you may discover a small leak before your home becomes flooded or mold begins to grow.  Get a flash light & look the water heater over for leaks from top to bottom!

2. Corrosion or Rust on pipes or connections is a BIG Deal!

The water heater will have a shut off valve & connections going into & out of the unit.  Many times we see signs of rust, corrosion or other damage (such as blue corrosion on copper pipes or at valves).  These warning signs may indicated a potential problem.

3. Not enough hot water

As the colder water comes into your water heater the temperature controls may need adjustment, also sometimes the water heater needs to be flushed or cleaned out to correct poor performance.  Tankless water heaters should always have a pre filter installed & should be serviced according to manufacturers instructions, usually once a year.

4. Waiting too long to get Hot Water

Some water heaters are installed at one side of the house but most of the use for hot water is on the other side of the house.  Additional insulation or a recirculation pump can correct or improve the time it takes to get hot water to the bathrooms or kitchen. To learn more about London Plumbing & Remodeling along with our other services, call us today at (209) 296-3613 or visit our website.