Should I Get a New Water Tank for My West Virginia Home?
The water tank in your home is one of its most important appliances. You need it for bathing, cooking, cleaning clothes, washing dishes, and more. How do you know when you need a replacement of this essential appliance in your West Virginia Home?
It’s Old
You can expect a water heater to last about 10 years before it needs to get replaced. While it may last longer than this, it’s after a decade that you need to start saving for a new one. If you’re not sure how old your water heater is, write down its serial number and input it into the manufacturer’s website to find out.
Visible Corrosion on the Tank
If you can see rust on the outside of the tank, it’s likely also rusted on the inside. Rust usually starts on the inner tank and then spreads to the outer tank. Most water heaters have an inner tank that holds water and an outer tank to provide insulation.
When you see rust on the outer tank, it’s usually a sign that the inner tank has been rusting for a long time. You shouldn’t ignore this problem, as the water heater can rupture, spilling water everywhere. It’s better to have it replaced sooner than later so you can avoid water damage to your home and property.
Mullen Plumbing, Heating and Cooling in South Charleston, WV, can replace your water heater. We offer gas and electric water heaters as well as tankless ones. Our company has been in business since March 1979.
Water Leaks From the Tank
It doesn’t always mean you need to replace your water heater if you see water leaks around it. There may just be a faulty connection that can be repaired. If you see the water is leaking from the body of the tank itself, you’ll need to replace your water heater as soon as possible.
If the leak is coming from the top of the tank, it might just be a loose valve or one of the water pipes that is leaking water. Hire a plumber to inspect your water heater and tighten connections. If the leak is coming from the bottom of the tank, you may need to have a plumber tighten the drain valve.
Inconsistent Water Temperatures
Older water tanks may not be able to keep the temperature of the water in it consistent. This can result in a hot shower quickly becoming ice cold. The water tank’s output line may have become clogged or partially blocked. When this happens, it can’t produce a constant pressure of water. Replace your water heater if you’re tired of sudden bursts of cold water.
Unusually High Energy Bills
An old water heater may use an unusually high amount of energy to heat water and keep its temperature maintained. If you’ve checked into other reasons your energy bills are unusually high, such as your heating and cooling system, it may be your water heater that’s to blame. This is especially true of electric water heaters where its heating elements are failing.
Reduced Hot Water Capacity
Another sign you need a new water heater is that it can’t produce as much hot water as it once did. Perhaps you only have enough for one or two showers, when it used to provide much more hot water than that. The problem can be a faulty heating element or thermostat.
Odd Sounds
You may hear strange sounds coming from your water heater that indicate that it’s failing. These can be rumbling, bangs, pings and other sounds. This is often caused by mineral sediment building up too much inside the tank. You should have the tank flushed, and if that doesn’t solve the problem you probably need a new water heater.
Cloudy Water
Cloudy water coming out of your taps is another sign there’s mineral sediment building up in your water heater. You’ll know the problem is your water heater if all the taps in your home have cloudy or discolored water when the hot water is turned on. While you can have the tank flushed, that won’t solve any rust problems or remove hardened mineral sediments.
Mullen Plumbing, Heating and Cooling can solve all of your plumbing problems in South Charleston, WV. This includes drain cleaning, toilet repair, sewer lines, backflow prevention, water lines and more. We also repair, replace and tune-up heaters and air conditioners. You can also turn to us for ductwork and indoor air quality solutions. Call today to schedule an appointment.
