It should come as no surprise that water heaters are incredibly hardy systems. They have to be since they work every day to deliver fresh hot water to your various faucets, appliances, and showers. However, even though they are usually made very well, the wear and tear will eventually build up and there will come a time when you’ll have to replace it. The sooner you are able to recognize the signs of this, the better off you’ll end up being. Here are some signs you should look for that will tell you that you need a new water heater.
Output Failure
Water heaters eventually exhaust themselves out when you put enough demand on it for a long enough period of time. And as water heaters age they tend to wear out more quickly and generate less heat output. If you find that your water heater can’t keep up with your day-to-day hot water needs anymore, it might be time to find a new water heater that can.
Needs Repairs All the Time
One of the great things about water heaters is that they don’t really need repairs very often as long as you keep up with their regular maintenance needs. In general, all you’ll need to do is schedule preventive maintenance once a year with a plumber to keep your water heater in good shape. As it ages, though, it will become more likely to develop problems and need repairs. If your water heater needs repairs more than once a year or if the same piece of the system breaks continuously, you should consider having a new one installed.
Simply Too Old
In general, water heaters are designed to last 15-20 years. If it’s older and still working for you, of course, you should continue to use it, but realize that it will probably develop problems such as the ones above, so it might be a good idea to just get a new water heater to save yourself the trouble and repair costs.
Helping Keep Your Plumbing in Great Shape Year-Round
Give Master Plumbing a call at (301) 650-9100 or contact us online to get more information on how our expert plumbers can help you with your clogged drains (or just about anything else plumbing related!). We have received Angie’s List Super Service Award recognition for plumbing and drain cleaning every year since 2007, in addition to the Best Plumber award from Best of Bethesda. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured and our service is unparalleled. Give us a call today—you won’t regret it! To see examples of our projects, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.