Signs Your Water Heater Is About to Fail

Signs Your Water Heater Is About to Fail

It’s important to be aware of the warning signs that your water heater is about to fail, before a catastrophe happens. Aside from lacking insufficient hot water, there are lots of other signs to tip you off that you may need a new unit soon. Keep an eye out for these warning signs to ensure a hot water disaster doesn’t strike:

Consider its age: It’s important to know the age of your water heater. The serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker on the water heater will be able to tell you that information. After having a unit for 10 years, you may want to start thinking about a replacement.

Look for flooding: If you notice moisture around your water heater or small pools of water, you probably have a small leak or fracture. Leaking hot water from the tank is an obvious sign of trouble and requires the immediate replacement of the water heater.

Your water is rusty: Rusty water can be an indication that you need to replace your water heater. If the rust is coming from the hot side piping in your home, your unit could be rusting from the inside out and may begin to leak soon. If you have galvanized piping, your pipes could be the cause. A good way to test this is to drain a few buckets of hot water out of the water heater. If, by the third bucket the water is still rusty, it’s time to consider a replacement.

Listen for unusual noises: If you begin to hear rumbling and banging sounds coming from your heater, it could be hardened sediment that has formed at the bottom of your unit due to it’s age. Listen out for these sounds so you can prevent a leaky disaster before it occurs.

Are you experiencing any of the above signs? If so, or you’re simply concerned about possible water heater failure,give the experts at Wahl Family Heating, Cooling & Plumbing a call to handle all of your HVAC needs. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at (412) 265-2662 or visit our website to learn more about the services we offer.