You wake up on a brisk winter morning, looking forward to the hot shower that begins your day. While waiting for the water to warm up, you soon realize that your hot water isn’t working. It looks like you need a new water heater.
Our Albuquerque heating repair specialists don’t want this to happen to you. Here are some signs to look for to help you know when to replace your water heater.
How long have you had your water heater?
Most manufacturers recommend replacing a water heater every 8 to 12 years. A tankless water heater lasts up to 20 years.
As with any heating and cooling system, units wear out over time. It’s best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific water heater to ensure you always have hot water available.
Maybe you don’t know how old your water heater is. Most water heaters come with a manufacturing date integrated into the serial number.
The first letter of the serial number is the month the water heater was made. The letter “A” represents January, with the letters running through “L” representing December.
The two numbers after the letter represent the year the water heater was manufactured. A serial number starting with “D13” means the water heater was manufactured in April 2013.
Does your water look cloudy, discolored, or sandy?
Discolored Water
If a water heater begins to corrode, rust leaks into its water supply. This causes water discoloration.
Not all water discoloration is caused by a corroded water heater. A simple way to find out is to run the cold water for about 3 minutes. If the water is discolored with the cold water running, the problem may be with the pipes.
Contact our heater repair specialists in Albuquerque for additional help diagnosing water discoloration issues.
Cloudy or Sandy Water
Sediment build-up in water heaters causes cloudy or sandy water. You may be able to solve the issue by draining the tank and cleaning out the sediments. If you still see cloudy or sandy water after performing this procedure, you must replace the water heater.
Are you running out of hot water faster, or is it not as warm as usual?
If you feel that your hot water isn’t lasting as long or that the water is not as warm as it used to be, then it may be a sign that your water heater is breaking down.
The first issue may be with your water heater’s thermostat. The suggested temperature setting for home water heaters is between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If you raise the temperature on the thermostat and the water becomes warmer, you probably don’t need a new water heater.
Another issue that may cause the water heater to lose heat is a broken heating element. Our heating repair technicians in Albuquerque can replace these elements to help you avoid buying a new water heater.
If you have an older unit, the parts may be harder to find or no longer exist. In that case, we recommend replacing the unit.
Is your water heater making unusual noises?
As water heaters age, the typical noises heard while heating the water gets louder. This may be part of the normal aging process, but some noises are not normal.
When sediment builds up and hardens, the hardened sediment begins pounding against the sides of the tank. This sediment becomes larger and thickens on the tank’s floor if not drained and maintained. This process slowly wears down the water heater and begins damaging the tank.
Is your water heater leaking?
Leaking water heaters cause a variety of issues. First, water loss leads to higher water bills. Second, leaking water causes damage to foundations and other structures around the home.
The tank’s metal expands over multiple heating sessions as time progresses. This expansion may create fractures that allow water to leak out at the height of each heating cycle. If the leak is small, a skilled technician may be able to patch the leak.
If the leak is not attended to or continues to grow, you must replace the water heater.
Has your water heater needed numerous repairs lately?
It’s not uncommon for water heaters to need repairs. There may be a problem if these repairs increase in frequency in a short period of time. Like a used car that is always at the mechanic, replacing a water heater may be more cost-effective than continually repairing it.
Whether looking for a water heater repair or a replacement, Budget Climate Control has you covered. Their repair specialists have years of experience repairing and replacing water heaters.
So, if you need a water heater repair in Albuquerque, contact them today to have a certified technician ensure you always have enough hot water.