Many homeowners do not take notice of the worsening condition of their water heaters until it’s too late, and cold water starts coming out of their faucets. To avoid getting to this stage, be aware of the warning signs that’ll help you identify if your water heater needs repair.
A water heater is important for everyday tasks in your Austin, TX home, like taking a shower. If your warranty is expired, we at Lone Star Water Services recommend buying a more efficient model to help you save both water and energy. It will also keep you from having to pay for an expensive breakdown in the future. Few signs you need a new water heater are an old unit, not enough hot water, brown water, noise, or leaks.
1. Fluctuation in Water Temperature
If there’s a problem with the water heaters, you’ll notice a fluctuation in the water temperature. The water temperature will keep changing even if you haven’t made any changes to it. It happens when mineral deposits accumulate around the water heating components of the heater. Call Lone Star Water Services as soon as you notice frequent fluctuations in the water temperature.
2. Reduced Hot Water Pressure
Sediment buildup can cause even more harm to your water heater by lowering the pressure of hot water. The accumulation of mineral deposits in the heating components of the water heaters can end up blocking pipes, which in turn reduces the pressure of the water coming from the water heater.
Moreover, an aging, tankless unit or solar water heaters also leads to reduced water pressure. To get your water pressure back to its original state, you need to hire a plumber in Austin, TX, to replace or install your water heater.
3. Leakage of Hot Water
All metals expand when they heat, and if there are slight fractures, water may leak from your tank. When a water heaters leaks, it could damage your basement or even your utility closet. But your inner tank will stop leaking when it cools down.
Now you must be wondering that this should be obvious, right? However, this is not always the case. Water will trickle down the heater if there is a leakage, making the damage unapparent until substantial repairs are done, or you get a new one.
Hot water can damage your home, which is why you should replace your water heater as soon as you detect even a minor leak. Before installing a water heater for you, we will check your heater’s temperature and pressure overflow pipe for leaks existing leaks. The area has to be assessed before a new installation can be done.
We’ll also make sure there are no other leaks in the fittings or connections to the tank. This is another reason why you should get your water heaters regularly inspected by our team. If you find a leak, have it replaced right away by an experienced professional.
4. Cloudy Water with an Unpleasant Smell
You might get cloudy water from your taps sometimes, which has a strange odor. The change in water texture and the smell caused by the mineral deposits are signs you should consider water heaters replacement to prevent your losses. Moreover, if a strange odor is coming out of your water, it could be a sign of a bacterial infection developing within the tank. Call us to repair it immediately as this water can be harmful to use.
5. Odd Sounds Coming From the Water Heater
A little noise coming from the water heater isn’t problematic. However, if this noise grows in frequency and becomes louder, it can signify that the water heater needs repair or replacement.
This happens when the calcium and dirt particles at the bottom of the tank form a layer, making it harder for the heater to warm water. These deposits within the water heaters also make noises, so if you notice strange noises coming from the water heaters, it’s probably the mineral deposits jostling around. You need to flush them out of the heater by getting our services. The tank also ends up leaking if this is left for a long time.
6. Rusty Water
If your hot water is coming out brown and rusty, your heater could be rusting on the inside, and it may start leaking soon. To check if that’s the case, fill three or four five-gallon buckets or other containers; if rust comes from hot water only, you need a new water heater.
You can prevent rust by adding an aluminum, magnesium, or zinc anode rod to your water heaters. For more protection, try using a large anode rod or two regular-sized rods. If you’re using two, ensure that both the rods are made of the same metal so that they don’t react chemically with each other and result in more wear.
For examining the inside, attach a hose to the drainage bib, turn it off, and drain it. If the water looks dirty, muddy, or has a metallic taste, get a brand-new water heater as soon as possible.
Natural gas water heaters are more efficient than electric models. Natural gas also tends to heat water faster than electricity, so keep all that in mind when shopping around.
If you frequently notice rusty water coming from both your hot and cold water taps, the problem is probably with your water pipes. However, if you notice metallic water only in the hot water tap, it is time you call our professional and highly experienced plumbers to replace your water heater. As the heater has a metal pole made from magnesium and aluminum, it can lead to rusty water when this pole gets damaged. This is why you need to get your water heater inspected and maintained regularly.
7. Lukewarm Water
Several factors can cause your water heater to provide lukewarm water instead of hot water. If you have changed the settings of your water heater to a lower temperature or vacation mode, then lukewarm water will come out.
If the weather outside is significantly cold or if your usage of hot water has increased, it can also cause the water heaters to warm the water slower than usual, causing lukewarm water to come out. If none of these factors are present and you still get lukewarm water, there is a possibility you need to replace your water heater.
Further, an electric water heater works with the help of two elements. If one element stops functioning, it causes the water to become lukewarm rather than hot. Gas water heaters operate with a burner, similarly.
If you experience lukewarm water coming from your hot water tap, it’s a sign that the burner in your gas water heater is not functioning properly. If you detect a problem in the burner or any other element of your water heater, you can contact us anytime.
8. Hot Water Keeps Finishing
If hot water runs out faster than usual, it’s a sign that there’s something wrong with the element or burner of your water heater. You shouldn’t ignore this sign of hot water running out and turning ice cold within minutes, and call us immediately if this happens.
9. An Old Unit
Water heaters need to be serviced regularly to ensure smooth functioning. If it has been over a year since you last got your water heaters inspected, it’s probably time to get it checked again, even if it functions appropriately. It’s better to detect a problem early before irreversible and costly damage occurs.
If your water heater is getting older, you better find out its exact age by looking for the serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker near its top. The first two numbers usually represent the year. You should check your manufacturer’s website to gain more information and have your hot water heaters replaced if you find out that it’s more than 10 years old.
Flush your water heater every year to make it last as long as possible. Remember that when the water gets hot, you’ll need to be careful to avoid getting burned. If your unit is in a place where it may cause damage if it leaks, immediately replaces it instead of risking water damage, mold, or mildew.
Call Lone Star Water Services to Install a Brand-New Water Heater
If your water heater just doesn’t seem to be acting like itself, it may be time for a new one. But how can you tell it’s time to replace your water. Follow our tips, as mentioned above, to see where the problem arises. However, if you cannot, it might be time to call a professional from Lone Star Water Services for help.
If you’re wondering where you could find expert plumbers for your water heater replacement or water heaters installation, call Lone Star Water Services. We are known for providing quality water heaters repair and replacement service in central Texas, including Austin, San Antonio, Dripping Springs, Blanco, Wimberley, San Marcos, Buda, Kyle, Lakeway, New Braunfels, Helotes, Pflugerville, Boerne, and more.
