Your home’s water heater was built to last a long time, especially if you give it proper care and maintenance. However, no matter how well you take care of this system, eventually it will need an upgrade. The trick is to be able to identify when you’ll need an upgrade.
The last thing you need is to find out your water heater has permanently failed, while taking a shower or doing something else that requires effective hot water usage. Keep reading to learn some of the warning signs to watch out for that indicated it’s time for you to go shopping for water heaters in Olympia, WA.
It’s Not Providing Hot Water
This may seem like an obvious sign that something is amiss, but not necessarily. If you put enough demand on a tank water heater, you’ll eventually overwhelm it. But, there’s a big difference between exhausting the demand of your water heater and the system simply not being able to provide you with enough hot water to meet your average needs.
If your water heater seems to be struggling more and more with providing moderate amounts of hot water, it might be due to wear and tear from years of use. The more worn down your system gets, the more its efficiency declines. If that’s the case, the best thing to do is replace the system.
It Requires Frequent Repairs
Water heaters will develop issues every now and then, just like any other important home system. But you should take note of how often you have to call for repairs. A high level of frequency in breakdowns isn’t normal, and this might indicate that your water heater is reaching the end of its lifespan.
The wear and tear we mentioned before will eventually progress to the point that it’s causing components of the system to break down in large groups. You can keep repairing the system if you want, but all you’ll really accomplish is the fact that you’re replacing the system one piece at a time anyway. It’s more cost-effective to upgrade, especially since you’ll have a more efficient water heater in place if you do.
Old Age
Naturally, the older your water heater gets, the more problems it will experience. This is simply the way it is! The average lifespan for traditional tank water heater is between 10-15 years old. Once it gets older than that, it will start developing chronic issues that can prevent it from operating as efficiently as possible, and the more it will cost to keep it up and running.
If your water heater is a decade old, or older, it’s a good idea to consult with a professional to see if your water heater could use replacing right now. It’s better to consult with an experienced plumber than to continue making costly repairs on your water heater. That way you can make sure you’re getting the most for your money.
