You rely on your water heater to supply a consistent source of hot water all day long. This appliance is vital to your daily routine because it’s needed for everything from taking a morning shower to doing laundry. When something goes wrong, it can quickly make life difficult. Here are a few common signs that indicate your water heater is in need of a professional assessment.

A Guide to Water Heater Problems

1. Aging

No appliance is designed to last forever. Assuming you use it regularly and maintain it as needed, a water heater should last for approximately 10 years before developing signs of trouble. This isn’t an exact science; you might experience problems at around the eight-year mark or a bit after a decade passes. Issues you may notice include water accumulating around the tank’s base and reduced efficiency.

2. Poor Heating

When the unit stops performing the way that it once did, it could be due to a faulty thermostat or a damaged heating element, both of which can be repaired or replaced depending on the severity of the problem.

In other instances, this problem can be due to an improperly sized tank. This typically only becomes an issue if you expand your family or add a room to your home. The more that water is consumed on a daily basis, the less efficient the tank will be.

3. Strange Noises

If your water heater starts producing a loud rumbling or thumping noise, it could be a sign that there’s sediment accumulation at the base of the tank. The sediment forms naturally, but when water goes through the heating and reheating process, this buildup hardens and forms a thick layer that can damage the tank itself. The metal casing may crack, in which case you would need to replace the unit promptly.
 

Are you concerned about an inefficient water heater? Turn to the team at All American Plumbing in Concord, NC. We’ve been serving Cabarrus County and the surrounding area since 1983, offering a variety of quality plumbing services. We can resolve burst pipes, leaking faucets, and garbage disposal problems with ease and efficiency. Visit us online for more information, or give us a call at (704) 788-8690 to schedule an appointment.