Is Your water Heater Too Old and Ready to Fail?
You surely don't look forward to a cold shower. How do you know that your water heater is on its last leg and do you even know how old your water heater is? We see water heater breakdowns beginning to occur as soon as age 5-7 of the unit. Most certainly, about 70% of units that are age 12+ have already failed or are in need of replacement. Know your facts and what to look for to help prevent waking up to a cold shower. How do you know if your water heater is too old and ready to fail?
How to Check the Age of Your Water Heater
It's not the easiest task to find the actual date of your water heater. Some manufacturers give you a helping hand and provide an age decoder on their website. First, find the manufacturer sticker on the rating plate on the side of your unit. See if the age of your system is clear. If not, the first 4 digits of the serial number should have letters and digits that you can use to decode the actual month and year of the water heater's production. For example, serial number 1291A39543 is manufactured in in 12-Dec of 1991-91. Check the manufacturers website and you will find their decoding system if you are having trouble figuring this out.
How Old is Too Old?
After year 5, it is recommended that you have regular plumbing inspections to verify that your water heater is in top working order. Anything over 8-10 years in age and we often see a reduction of hot water and decreased energy efficiency. Sediment can build up inside your water heater reducing the water volume. In turn, this can cause your hot showers to shorten. As you near the end of your water heater's life span, it is always a great idea to start researching options. Hybrid and Tankless On Demand water heaters offer great solutions to hot water needs. They can reduce your energy costs as well!
How Do I Know My Water Heater May be Ready to Fail?
If you are seeing a reduced amount of hot water coming from your water heater, you have some cause for concern. Banging, clanging, gurgling hissing oh my! If these or any other unnatural sounds are coming from your water heater, it's time to call in the licensed plumbing experts from Guardian. Do you notice any clear or rusty water around your water heater? This can be caused by rusting inside the unit itself. It is only a matter of time before the water heater itself may rust through and cause water damage to your home.
Leaking water heaters are the most common problem we see when visiting our customers' homes. To prevent water damage to your home or the loss of hot water completely, consider having a whole home plumbing inspections. Schedule online today and receive 10% off of necessary repairs.
