When Should You Replace Your Water Heater?

For most homeowners in Las Vegas, Nevada, having access to hot water is an essential part of everyday life. So, having a handle on your water heater’s condition is a must for any homeowner. Neglecting the signs that it’s time to replace your water heater can lead to inconvenient and costly problems.

But how can you tell it’s time to replace your water heater?

In this article, we’ll examine the signs that indicate it’s time to replace your water heater to help you avoid running out of hot water and dealing with water damage. Continue reading to learn more!

A straightforward indicator that it’s time to replace your water heater is its age. Most water heaters can last between 8 and 10 years before needing replacing. If your water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan, you should consider a replacement before it malfunctions. An aging water heater can lead to many of the following signs.

If your water is coming out red or orange, you likely have rust in the water supply. However, rust can get in your water in various ways. Rust may discolor your water from a rusting water pipe, water heater, water inlet, or pressure relief valve on the heater. Regardless of where the rust is coming from, this symptom should be addressed as quickly as possible to avoid a water leak. If the rust is traced back to your water heater, you should consider replacing it soon before a leak occurs.

A healthy water heater shouldn’t make any kind of noise. If your water heater is older, noises are likely caused by sediment buildup in the tank. Sediment forms in the bottom of the tank over the years as your hot water is used daily. This sediment hardens with time and coats the bottom of the tank. Noise caused by sediment buildup is a sure sign the water heater will start leaking soon.

This symptom can be delayed with proper maintenance. Your water heater should be flushed at least once a year to remove any sediment before it can harden. By performing this annual maintenance routine, your water heater should last its entire lifetime. If your water still makes noise after having it flushed, you likely have a more severe problem and should replace the water heater before leaks can form.

Leaks can form in and around your water heater for various reasons. If you notice water pooling around the bottom of your water heater, the tank itself may have a leak, a fitting may be poorly connected, or the pressure overflow valve could be leaking. As a result, a leak isn’t always a sure sign you need to replace your water heater. If the leak is caused by a fitting or the overflow valve, a Las Vegas plumbing service can repair or replace those specific parts to fix the problem. However, if the leak is coming from the tank, it’s likely caused by metal expansion, which occurs in water heaters after thousands of heating cycles. If your water heater tank is leaking, you need to have it replaced as soon as possible to avoid costly repairs to other areas in your home.

If you notice that your water is no longer heating properly or hot water doesn’t last as long, it may be due to insufficient tank size. As your household grows, so does your hot water usage. If your family has outgrown your existing water heater tank’s capacity, you’ll notice the difference quickly. When this happens, you should consider having your hot water heater replaced with a larger size to accommodate your growing household.

Performing proper maintenance, inspecting your water heater regularly, and keeping an eye out for these indicators is key to ensuring your water lasts long and doesn’t end up costing you a fortune in repairs. Remember, if you notice any of these signs, you should contact a local Las Vegas plumber as soon as possible to have your tank inspected and replaced.