How to Tell if You Need a New Water Heater

At a certain point, replacing your water heater makes more financial sense than repairing it. However, how can you tell if it’s time to get a new one? A-1 Comfort Care, your local plumbing services company, elaborates below.

The Warning Signs

The most common sign you’ll be needing a replacement soon is the increasing frequency of repairs. However, there are other more subtle warning signs such as:

• Cold water coming out of the faucet despite the thermostat being set at a healthy temperature
• Rumbling, popping, or clicking noises being made by sediments that accumulated in the heater tank
• A rusty tank or rusty water
• A broken dip tube, which is responsible for pushing cold water into the tank

How Long Water Heaters Usually Last

If your water heater is of high quality and was installed properly, it should be able to last 8 – 12 years. However, most plumbing service contractors would recommend homeowners replace water heaters that are more than 10 years old. The date of manufacture is usually written in the serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker. However, the date isn’t written in the usual format—the first letter in the serial number represents the month. For instance, the letter F in the serial number indicates the heater was manufactured in June. The two numbers next to the letter indicate the year it was made. As such, a heater with F05 at the start of its serial number would have been made in June 2005.

The Importance of Maintenance

Keep in mind that without routine maintenance, even a relatively new water heater won’t last for long. Water contains minerals that slowly corrode the metal tank and create leaks, which is why it’s important to have an experienced contractor routinely inspect and maintain your water heater and plumbing.

A-1 Comfort Care, a company with more than two decades’ worth of experience, offers a wide range of professional plumbing services. To schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained plumbers, call us at (732) 578-0379 or leave us a message here. We serve homeowners in Freehold and Wall, NJ, as well as the surrounding communities in New Jersey.