Water heaters work tirelessly to supply the entire household with hot water. When they’re working, we don’t give them a second thought. However, when something happens to go wrong, your entire day will grind to a stand still. Without the convenience of the water heater, many daily tasks will be difficult, or even impossible to do. Fortunately, a high quality water heater which was professionally installed and is regularly maintained can last for years and years without needing any repairs. However, in the long run, there’s no water heater which can be completely free of repairs, regardless of the maintenance it receives,

At times, it is easy to tell when the water heater needs repairs, but there are some other symptoms which are not easy to notice but may mean that the water heater needs repairing. Here is how tell if you need to repair your water heater;

1. Inadequate Hot Water

If the household occupants start going without hot showers every other morning, you should investigate and find out why there isn’t as much hot water, as before. This usually indicates there’s a broken dip tube inside your water tank, or there’s a leak somewhere in your system. Whichever the reason, you should not tolerate it, since chances are that the issue will only get worse. You need to call for repairs immediately.

2. Temperature Problems

If you’re receiving only lukewarm (or cold) water whenever you turn on your hot water facets, then there’s a problem with the water heater’s power supply. There might be a failed pilot light or a burnt out heating element, which is causing the issue. You need to hire a professional water heater repair expert to solve the issue.

3. Age

Generally, most water heaters have a lifespan of between 8 to 12 years. If you are not sure about the actual age of your water heater, you can check the serial number. Most water heater serial numbers normally contain the actual date it was manufactured. In case the serial number starts with a letter, the letter corresponds to the month (A is for January, B is for February, so on and so forth). The 2 numbers which immediately follow indicate the year. For Instance F-99 would mean that the water heater was manufactured in June, 1999. If you own a conventional water heater that’s over 8 years old, you should have it checked and the necessary repairs done.

Fortunately, a high quality water heater which was professionally installed and is regularly maintained can last for years and years without needing any repairs.

4. Rusty and Colored Water

In case you happen to see rusty and colored water coming from the water faucets, it’s a clear sign that the water heater’s interior is starting to rust. This clearly shows that there are leaks, and needs be checked immediately. It is important to know that if you’ve installed galvanized pipes, the rust may come from the pipes, however it’s only prudent to have both of them checked so as to avoid a leaky water heater tank or burst pipes.

5. Strange Noises

Strange and loud noises are always an indicator that something is wrong. If you happen to hear loud cracks, pops, and such other sounds coming from your water heater, it’s probably an indication that there’s interaction between heating elements, and the mineral build up on the inside of the water heater. Older water heaters usually have layers of sediment which have build up over time. As the sediment settles at the bottom of the water heater tank and hardens, it’ll start making noises. In addition, a tank which has layers of sediment wont run as efficiently, and might use up more energy in order to heat up the water; This will not only cause more wear and tear on the water heater tank, but it will also increase your electricity bills.

6. Water Puddles Around the Water Heater

There should never be any water puddles near the heating unit. In case there are water puddles around the heater, it means that there’s corrosion inside the tank, or there’s some other kind of failure, and that is why water is leaking from the tank. You need to call a professional to check out the cause of the problem, and carry out the necessary repairs.

Conclusion
Routine maintenance and a thorough inspection from an expert will help you avoid/prevent many water heater issues before they happen, On the other hand, immediate repairs will prevent many cold showers, major floods, or other such water heater disasters from happening. So if you happen to notice any of the above signs, you should call a professional immediately.