4 Warning Signs That Your Water Heater Needs Emergency Repairs

Water heaters play a pivotal role in modern homes as it provides a steady supply of hot water to all your plumbing fixtures, saving you the trouble of manually heating your water to keep you comfortable during baths, washing the dishes, and more.

While it’s an appliance that is built to withstand daily wear-and-tear for 8 to 15 years, its operating efficiency can increasingly drop if you fail to give it some TLC every now and then. Problems with your water heater can quickly turn into a catastrophe, so it’s in your best interest to know when to spot signs that indicate your unit needs immediate repair.

Sign #1: Loud, Rumbling Noises

When you hear strange, reverberating noises coming from your water heater, it’s a loud sign that there is sedimentation happening in the tank. This leads to boiled water being trapped in the sediment, resulting in the clanking, rumbling, or kettling sounds.

Not only does this cause disruptions in the household, but it can also keep the water heater from transferring enough heat, leading to a water temperature that’s below your usual number.

Sign #2: Brown or Rusty Water

Once you see brown or dirty water flowing through the taps, one of the likely culprits points to problems with the sediment inside the tank again. A significant sediment buildup can severely damage your water heater to the point where it needs to be replaced, so be sure to flush the water heater once a year to mitigate the chances of this happening.

Sign #3: Water Leakage

There’s no doubt that the water should stay within the heater at all times, so once you notice a pool of excessive water collection surrounding the base of the heater, it’s a tell-tale sign that it needs immediate attention.

Keep in mind that there are instances wherein you only need to repair the valves, but when the tank is rusted and developing cracks, then it needs to be replaced.

Sign #4: Age

When your water heater is older than ten-years-old, it makes sense to expect it to reach its end soon. Homeowners that keep up with the necessary upkeep and maintenance can extend the water heater’s lifespan up to 30 years, but that doesn’t mean that it will work as efficiently as it used to.

Even without any obvious problems, seeing a sudden spike in your utility bills can reveal that your water heater is overworking itself and can no longer keep up with the daily demands.

The Bottom Line: Spotting the Tell-Tale Signs that Indicate Your Water Heater is Nearing Its Inevitable Breakdown

Dealing with water heater issues at home can be a major inconvenience as it can chip away at your time and money all in one go. Beyond facing costly consequences, a broken water heater can also wreak havoc on your home, which is why knowing the common red flags that help you spot early signs of trouble is crucial.

With the help of our expert commercial plumbing services in Abbotsford, BC, we can take the heat and help flush your emergency problems down the drain. Get in touch with us today and see what we can do for you!