When Should You Replace Your Birmingham Water Heater?
Without regular maintenance and repair, you could need to replace your Birmingham water heater much sooner.
Water heaters are under a lot of pressure and stress, so they can require a lot of maintenance and repairs. Our Birmingham plumbers recommend you have a tune-up and inspection of your water heater once a year to ensure it’s functioning at its best. But if even you stay up on repairs and maintenance, you’ll need to replace your unit eventually. You don’t ever want to be without hot water, so it’s important that if you do need if a water heater replacement, you have it done, or at least see it coming.
Most likely, you’ll need a professional to tell you whether you need a replacement for certain. But there are some warning signs you can watch out for that will point to an upcoming breakdown of your unit:
1. The Age of Your Birmingham Water Heater
The average lifespan of a water heater is ten years. But, of course, this number changes based on a few factors, including the frequency of maintenance and repairs. Without frequent and prompt repairs it’s likely that your water heater could last as little as five years. If your water heater is more than five years old, you should start to pay closer attention to it and consider a replacement. If you haven’t recently, call for an inspection, and we’ll let you know how much longer your water has and whether you need a replacement or repairs.
2. Loud Noises.
If you hear loud noises coming from your water heater, that means there’s a build-up of sediment inside that’s not allowing water through. Sometimes, the sediment can be flushed out. But if it’s gotten too bad, a water heater replacement may be your only option.
Our Birmingham water heater specialists can help you determine whether repairs can take care of the problem.
3. Look for Leaks
Leaks in your water heater can often be repaired. But sometimes the leaks can mean you’ll have to have a replacement. Leaks in your Birmingham water heater can be indicators of larger problems that can lead to complete breakdown in the near future.
Keep in mind, not every puddle you find beneath your water heater is a leak. So don’t panic immediately. The best thing to do if you think you’ve found a leak in your Birmingham water heater is call a professional. We can determine the location of the leak, the cause, and the best next steps. Sometimes, water heaters with leaks will have to be replaced.
It’s never a bad idea to call in a professional Birmingham water heater specialist for an inspection, especially if you’re past the eight year mark. Water heaters are forced to endure quite a lot, and even if you don’t need a replacement, having repairs made to them will ensure that they’ll last longer. It’ll also mean that you’ll be saving on energy costs, as your water heater will run more efficiently.
