Is it Time for a New Hot Water Heater?

Steaming showers, blissful baths, and all the hot water you need to wash your hands, clothes, and dishes. It’s easy to take our access to a nearly limitless supply of clean, hot water for granted. So when your hot water heater suddenly starts to show its age, it can be a bit of a rude awakening. But how do you know whether your hot water tank needs to be fully replaced or just needs a little TLC?

Leaks.

Nothing says it’s time to call a Calgary plumber quite like a puddle under your hot water heater. Leaks are usually a result from old, tired metal cracking from overuse. As the temperature of the water in your heater is always in flux, the metal tank contracts and expands as the water cools and heats. After decades of shrinking and growing, the tank will inevitably fail and spring a leak.

Age.

Even if you haven’t sprung a leak yet, it may be time to at least consider whether to replace your old hot water heater. As we explained above, hot water heaters inevitably have a limited lifespan. Regular maintenance and repairs can help extend the life of your heater, but regardless, the tank will likely fail and begin leaking within 8-12 years.

If you’re not sure how old your tank is, you can check! On the manufacturer’s sticker, there will be a serial number listed. For almost all manufacturers, the first 3 digits of this number can tell you the manufacturing date. The serial number begins with a letter which corresponds to the month. A is January, B is February, C is March, and so on until L for December. The two numbers following the letter indicate the year. So the serial number H171234567 was manufactured August 2017. If your tank is nearing its natural lifespan, you’ll probably be better off replacing it now, before it starts causing problems.

Schedule an Inspection.

Hot water tanks typically begin to show their age before they die completely. Symptoms like inadequate heating, rusty water, and loud rumbling noises are all signs that it’s time to call a Calgary plumber to come take a look. After a comprehensive inspection, we’ll be able to tell you whether a simple repair or full replacement is warranted.

Discoloured water, for example, could be caused from rust inside your hot water heater. If this is the case, the tank is unsafe and needs to be replaced. However, the red tint could be coming from your pipes instead. Our friendly plumbers will help you identify the problem and discuss your options.

Odd, loud noises are generally caused by sediment build up. This mineral build up doesn’t just make bangs and rumbles, it also decreases the efficiency of your heater. To make matters worse, as your tank spends more time heating the water, that increases the wear and tear on the metal. Depending on the age of your tank, you may want to consider replacing it. But, if the heater is relatively young, our certified plumbers can likely stop the noises by flushing the sediment from the tank.

Need a friendly Calgary plumber to inspect your hot water tank? Is it time to replace your hot water heater entirely or should you consider upgrading to a tankless water heater, which can last for 20 years? Our team is here to support you for all your plumbing needs, large and small. If you need any help at all with your hot want tank, give the Plumbing Paramedics a call today at (403) 452-2911.