Your water heater is easily one of the most important appliances in your home, and it plays a key role in your everyday living. If it doesn’t function properly, a simple repair may be all that’s needed. But in more serious cases, a complete replacement might be the only solution. Fortunately, several telltale signs indicate it may be time for a new unit. Here’s what you need to know.

How to Tell If You Need a New Water Heater

1. Aging

Basic aging is enough to render any product irreparable. That’s particularly true of water heaters, which typically have a life expectancy of approximately 10 to 12 years. Once that time elapses, you might notice that it needs frequent attention. If you’re constantly contacting your contractor for repairs, it’s more cost-effective to replace the unit.

2. Noises

Strange sounds indicate that there’s a problem inside the water heater. Rumbling may develop with age, but noises that only get louder are usually indicative of sediment buildup at the base. This develops over time, and it can lead to inefficient heating and frequent repairs. Your air conditioning professional can safely flush the tank once a year to protect it, but if the noise continues and grows worse, you may not be able to repair it anymore.

3. Leaks

Water heaters tend to leak when they reach their natural life expectancy. If you discover water surrounding the tank, it’s likely due to a leak caused by metal expansion. That’s a natural result of ongoing heat cycles over the years. All it takes is a slight crack for water to escape, and by then it could lead to serious damage to your property.

4. Rust

Rust anywhere within the system is indicative of a problem. If only hot water has a brownish color or a metallic odor, it’s a sign that rust has developed in the tank. Most heating contractors cannot repair this, so you will need to swap out your water heater.

5. Failure

Once the water stops heating and you can’t properly use appliances that depend on warmer temperatures, you’ll need to replace the appliance. Your heating expert can determine what the cause is, but usually, an improperly sized heater is to blame. It could be that your home’s hot water needs have increased, in which case you’ll need a larger unit to accommodate it.

Is your water heater acting up? Whether it’s old or requires frequent repairs, you can trust the team at Tri-City Refrigeration to resolve the problem. Based in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, these furnace repair and HVAC system professionals offer over 70 years of industry experience. The technicians are trained to test the system and determine the problem. If a replacement is in order, they’ll make sure that you’re satisfied with the new unit and installment. Visit them online to learn more about their heating services, or call (715) 423-5840 to schedule an appointment.