At Scenic City Heating & AC, we’ve served Chattanooga and the greater metropolitan area since 2000. Whether you need a new electric water heater, or if you have a leaking water heater, our expert repair technicians diagnose the problem quickly and come up with a plan that’s tailored to your needs and budget. The next time your water heater is giving you fits, remember to call Scenic City Heating & AC.
If you have the odor of sewer gas in your home, it’s likely a problem in your main sewer line. Call us for our expert sewer video inspection service at the first sign of trouble.
Signs You Need Hot Water Heater Repair
For most Chattanooga homeowners, the first sign they have water heater problems is when they’re faced with an ice-cold shower in the morning when they expected a hot one. However, when you realize that your water heater works around the clock to provide you with hot water, it’s easy to see how they eventually wear out as they age.
And, depending on your usage, your water heater may wear out before its time. Here are the five most common signs that your water heater is failing, and that it’s time to plan on a new hot water tank installation.
- Irregular Water Temperatures -- Have you noticed that sometimes the water comes out hot while other times it’s cold? Fluctuating water temperatures is a clear sign that your water heater has issues that you must address soon.
- Discolored Water -- The water coming out of the tap should be colorless, so if you notice that your water is brown, red, or yellow, the problem could lie within your water heater. Sometimes the issue is sediment that’s built up, and sometimes it’s the water tank that’s rusting from the inside.
- The Hot Water Doesn’t Last as Long -- Your water heater should keep your water hot and ready to use whenever you need it; however, if you run out of hot water sooner than you used to, it could be that one of the heating elements is failing.
- Strange Noises -- As your water heater ages, it’s typical to hear strange groaning, popping, or rumbling sounds coming from the tank. While some people may think this means the water heater is in danger of exploding, the fact is that it’s usually a buildup of sediment that’s the culprit.
- Leaking Water -- It’s not uncommon for water heaters to corrode as they get older, which weakens the integrity of the tank, and causes leaks. If you see water pooling at the bottom of the water tank, call for a repair immediately before the tank bursts and you have a flood on your hands.
If you notice any of these or any other strange issues with your water heater, call a professional immediately.
Why You Need Water Heater Maintenance
The typical water heater is a robust system that’s designed to last for many years, working day and night to provide you and your family with hot water whenever you want it. However, like all appliances, your water heater won’t last forever, and its lifespan is often reduced if you fail to perform routine maintenance.
Many water heater issues don’t give off any visible symptoms until the problem is far along, which means that you probably won’t catch any of the warning signs until your water heater is at the point of failure. If you want to keep your water heater running efficiently, stop little problems from developing into large ones, and extend your water heater’s lifespan as long as possible, you must perform regular maintenance.
Regular water heater flushing and maintenance saves you money by increasing its efficiency. As water heaters age, sediment builds up in the tank, which makes your water heater work harder to do the same job. Sediment comes from loose materials in the water, which settle in the tank and make it more difficult for the system to heat the water. Most experts recommend flushing the tank at least once a year.
Another benefit to regular water heater maintenance is that you reduce the chance of costly repairs and system failure. If you have a plumber conducting regular maintenance on your water heater, you have a greater chance of catching things like corrosion, water leaks, or other issues before they lead to failure.
If you think hiring a water heater maintenance company for routine checkups is too expensive, consider the price you’ll pay when you have to spring for a new hot water tank installation unexpectedly.
Call Scenic City Heating & AC and ask about our water heater maintenance plans.
If you’re constantly running out of hot water, maybe a tankless water heater is the answer.
When Should You Buy a New Water Heater?
As mentioned, your water heater runs constantly; however, it’s easy for most people to forget until something goes wrong because it operates quietly in the background. Your water heater is built to run reliably for many years, but it will eventually fail like any appliance. So, instead of waiting until a disaster happens, consider replacing your water heater before you have to so you can enjoy uninterrupted service.
If your water heater is approaching 15 years old or older, it’s time to plan on replacing it. The average lifespan of a water heater is about 15 years, so once you get to that point, it’s better to replace it now rather than trying to squeeze out a few more years.
Another sign that it’s time to replace your water heater is if you notice rust spots on the tank because that means it’s corroding from the inside, and it’s on borrowed time.
Lastly, if the frequency of repairs increases, put that money towards a new system instead of keeping the old one going for another year.
