So...you know your water heater is aging, but do you know the signs that it might actually be going out?
Are you sure?
There are several signs that will tell you if your water heater is about to go out including if your water heater is no longer heating properly.
1. Check the Age
Before you do anything else you should check the age of your water heater. You can check that by doing the following:
Find the serial number on the manufacturer's sticker which should be on the upper part of your water heater.The serial number contains numbers and letters but it isn't written like a normal date, it will be a code you have to decipher. For example A191234567. The A is the month of the year and the next two digits are the year. So since A is the first letter in the alphabet, the month of the year is January and the next two digits are 19 so the year is 2019. In this example, the water heater was manufactured in January 2019.
2. Rusty Components
If you start seeing rust on your water heater parts or in your water, it's time for a new one.
Look for:
Rusty waterRusty valves or water inletsRusty pipes
3. Strange Noises
If your water heater starts to make strange noises, that probably means it has sediment buildup in it. When a water heater ages, sediment builds up in the bottom of the tank. Over time, that sediment begins to harden and keeps getting thicker and thicker. This causes your water heater to use more energy and the tank metal to become brittle which will eventually lead to a crack and it will begin to leak.
4. Water Leaks
An aged water heater will often develop leaks. This is due to expansions to the metal in the tank. Over time, these metal expansion gaps will begin to hold water and crack. Then every time the tank heats up, the metal will expand and that expansion gap crack will leak water.
What's Next?
If you have an aging water heater or other South Carolina plumbing issues or concerns, please Contact Us today. Our team of experts would love to help you find the best possible plumbing solutions for your home and budget.
We are located in Little River, SC and proudly serve South Carolina and all of the North, South, and Eastern Carolinas.
