Water heaters are usually out of sight and out of mind. But what happens when you encounter problems that feel much bigger than the last time? You have to listen to the signs and know when it’s time for electric water heater replacement in Bethesda, MD.
Here’s a list of classic signals that an electric water heater can send your way to let you know it’s nearing the end of its life. Once you know what to look for, you’ll be much better equipped to listen and get a replacement before it breaks down for real.
Your Tank Is Leaking (More Than Normal)
Water heater tanks are intended to leak a very little bit. There’s a pressure release valve that may release a few drops of water per hour, but it should never be enough to create a puddle. If you notice large pools of water around your water heater, or that the wet spots near the valve are growing, it’s time to call for repairs first, though this may point to a leaking tank, and there’s no fix for that except a replacement.
Low Water Temperature
The electric heating element in your water heater tank isn’t going to last forever. Oftentimes, it will be replaced at least once in your water heater’s lifetime. If your water heater isn’t too old, replacing the element might do the trick, but if the tank is already past the ten-year mark, it may be more affordable and make more sense to opt for a full replacement.
Strange Noises That Won’t Stop
Every now and again, you hear a knock in the pipes or your HVAC is extra loud. Home HVAC and plumbing can make weird noises from time to time, but if you hear a consistently odd noise coming from your water heater, that’s a bad sign. While this could just be a cause for repair, water heaters are usually fairly quiet machines, so this indicates a big problem.
Horribly Inconsistent Water Temperatures
If it was always as simple as replacing the heating element, the tank itself would last for ages. But if your water temperatures are all over the place, from the kitchen sink to the bathroom shower, it sounds like the water heater is struggling.
We circle back to an earlier point: if it is the heating element, but your water heater tank is already very old, a full replacement makes more sense in this situation. It’s also important to note that this could be a thermostat issue, and if it is, that’s the least of your concerns. It just means the thermostat was reading the water temperature incorrectly, so fingers crossed that your water heater is A-okay.
It’s Time for That Replacement
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to make the call and set up your electric water heater replacement for real. We’re ready to help you with your full replacement, and we’ll do our best to handle things quickly so you barely even remember a time when your water heater wasn’t working.
Contact Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing today to schedule your new water heater installation as soon as possible.