Your water heater is an essential part of your home. It’s also something that is often forgotten until you have an issue with it. At that point, it often becomes an expensive and inconvenient issue.
Unfortunately, you will almost certainly need to call a reputable emergency plumber Sydney to get the water heater issue resolved. However, with a little foresight and regular inspections from your plumber, you can avoid the inconvenience of a breakdown.
You simply need to know the signs that you’re water heater is reaching the end of its life. Your plumber can confirm the issue and help you fix or replace it.
1. Lack of Hot Water
One of the most obvious signs that there is something wrong with your water heater is when you’re not getting hot water. Assuming the electrical supply is okay, the issue is likely to be with the heater elements. These generally go inside the water heater.
They can be in direct contact with the water, leading to corrosion. This is especially true if sacrificial anodes are not replaced regularly. It’s normal to have two or three heating elements. If one has failed, your water will be warm but not hot. If both have failed you won’t get any hot water.
You can replace these elements but the question is whether this is the best option.
2.Tank Corrosion
Take a careful look around your tank. You need three things to create corrosion, water, metal, and oxygen. All of these are resent in your water heater. In other words, corrosion is virtually inevitable.
If you notice corrosion on the outside of your water heater then it is likely only a matter of time before the corrosion causes the tank to leak. This can cause flooding in your home which is not desirable!
It’s rarely possible or practical to repair a tank, you will be better off replacing it.
3. Strange Noises
Anytime you hear strange noises in your plumbing system you should be concerned. Gurgling and banging noises are often connected to air being in the wrong places.
Noises coming from your water heater tell you there is something wrong with it. Although it’s possible that your plumber can resolve the issue, you need to be prepared for the worst.
4. Water Leaks At Heater
Your water heater works hard every day. Alongside the pressure of corrosion, it also needs to deal with fluctuating water pressures that can place pressure on the joints in the system.
This can cause the water heater to leak. Obviously, any water leak is an issue that needs resolving. But, when the leak is coming from the heater you need to be considering the risks of it failing and the hot water rapidly entering your home.
5. Age
Finally, no one wants to be an ageist. But, a water heater has a definitive lifespan. It’s rare for the heater to last longer than 15 to 20 years. If your heater is this old, or older, you need to be aware that it is likely to fail.
It doesn’t mean you have to replace it today. But, you should be aware of the signs and be ready to replace it when necessary.
