Water heaters are built for durability. They’re made to last even with the massive amount of demand placed on them daily. Routine maintenance and prompt repairs can extend the life or you water heater even more, but sooner or later the system won’t be able to keep up.
If your water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan, it’s a good idea to know about it beforehand so you can start making plans for a replacement system. Otherwise, you just might find yourself without hot water one morning. Nobody wants to face that bright and early in the morning. As experts in Bountiful, UT plumbing services, we’re happy to share with you some of the signs you should watch for that indicate you’re in need of a water heater replacement.
Low Output
Water heaters, specifically tank water heaters, can be overwhelmed by demand. For instance, if you’re taking hour-long showers on a consistent basis, you’re definitely going to run out of hot water at some point during the day. However, there’s a difference between that and a water heater that can’t provide enough hot water for even moderate use.
If your water heater is no longer capable of providing hot water to the level it used to, it might be that the system is simply too old to keep up. It’s also possible that there’s a problem affecting the system that can be fixed with a repair call, but you’ll need to call in a professional plumber to determine that.
Frequent Problems and Repair Needs
Even though water heaters are built to last a long time, they are not immune to problems. At some point, you’re going to have to call for water heater repairs. This in of itself shouldn’t be concerning, but when the frequency of repair needs goes up, then it’s time to pay attention.
If you find yourself calling for water heater repairs multiple times a year, it likely means that the wear and tear on the system is extensive enough that components are starting to fail in groups. That level of repair frequency is a huge indication that your water heater is nearing the end of its useful service life, and needs to be replaced.
Old Age
No matter how careful you are about staying on top of repairs and maintenance sessions, there’s nothing you can do about a water heater that has simply reached the end of its lifespan. The average water heater will last around 10-15 years. You may be able to extend that depending on the care you’ve given your system, but once it gets any older it will be more likely to develop problems such as those listed above.
It typically becomes more cost effective to replace a water heater with a new, high-efficiency system than to keep paying for repairs. A general rule of thumb is that if your next repair call is going to cost you half of what a new system would, it makes more economical sense to upgrade.
Contact your HVAC and plumbing experts at Rentmeister Total Home Service today!