Unfortunately, water heaters do not last forever. After 10 to 12 years, water heaters can start to have problems that cannot or should not be repaired. If a homeowner does not know exactly how old their water heater is, they can figure it out by looking at the serial number. The first three characters in the serial number are one letter and two numbers. The letter represents the year that the water heater was manufactured. If the letter is G, the seventh letter in the alphabet, it means that the water heater was made in the seventh month of the year, which is July. The two numbers signify the year. If the water heater is getting up in age, and starts showing any of the following symptoms, the homeowner should consider Water Heater in Replacement.
Leaks
Leaks, no matter how small, are a sign that the water heater is at the end of its life. Leaks are a sign that the inner tank is no longer stable. The longer the problem continues, the worse the leak will become.
Excessive Noise
If there is knocking and banging coming from the water heater, it means that sediment has built up inside the water heater. This is a problem that often cannot be fixed, therefore, the homeowner should consider Water Heater in Replacement.
The Water is No Longer Hot Enough
If a homeowner notices that their hot water is no longer getting hot enough, it is a sign that the heating element is burning out. When this happens, it is not worth the cost to replace it. It is better and less expensive to just replace the water heater.
Metallic Smell or Taste in the Water
If a homeowner notices that their water tastes or smells like metal, they should consider replacing the water heater. Metallic smells and tastes are a sign that there are grit and flakes coming from the inside of the tank, which is getting into the water supply. In this case, the water should be replaced immediately.
Rusty Water
If the hot water is coming out rusty, it means that the inside of the tank is rusting out. This is something that cannot be repaired, and the water heater would need to be replaced.
If a homeowner notices any of the above problems, they should contact Carlson Bros Mechanical Contracting to have their water heater replaced. You can also connect with them on Facebook.
