Nothing lasts forever and gas water heaters make no exception either. Given the vital importance of hot water on a daily basis, it’s imperative to keep an eye on your unit and ensure a proper maintenance. With all these, there comes a time when you simply have to upgrade or change your current heater. Most people ask themselves – when to replace my gas water heater? There are certain signs that will tell you it’s about time.
Getting Too Old
Most gas water heaters last around 10 years. Some of them last less though, depending on quality standards. The necessity to replace the heater may occur earlier or later then. Most homeowners wait until they see some obvious signs. While you shouldn’t replace a perfectly working heater, do not wait until these signs become obvious:
- Rust
- Funny noises
- Constant leaks
- Inefficiency in heating water
The more you wait, the more likely you are to expect failure and it never occurs at a convenient time, but at the worst possible time.
Assessing Rust
Rust is the cancer of metallic components. While many gas water heaters are based on steel, it will still be affected by rust.
Sometimes, rust is visible. Take a look at the heater (especially around the joints and look for rust spots). Other times, it occurs inside. At that point, pay attention to the water. If it’s rusty the moment you turn it on, chances are you should expect a leak anytime soon. Rust on the outside is a secondary sign. Once you spot it, chances are it has already affected the inside too.
Rust may also affect the pipes only and not the actual heater, hence the necessity of a check. How can you tell? Drain a couple of buckets of water directly from the tank. If it’s rusty, your heater is the problem.
Experiencing Funny Noises
Noises will inevitably come out at some point as your heater ages. Sediment buildups are the main reasons. Sediments build up on the bottom of the tank. They harden with time and grow thicker. With time, they’ll affect the water heating efficiency and they’ll accelerate the damage.
Maintenance is highly recommended to prevent sediments from building up. Flush the heater on a yearly basis and clear all the sediments. It’s not a DIY project, so seek help from a gas plumber. If the rumbling noise persists, you better get ready for replacement.
Looking for Leaks
Spotting water around the tank is never a good thing. It means one problem – you have a leak. Leaks can lead to significant damage to your property, so it must be assessed as quickly as possible.
There are two main reasons for leaks. One of them is rust. When rust eats through steel, leaks inevitably occur. Another one is the metal expansion while the unit heats water up. If the heater is not in use, it won’t leak. But when the metal expands during a heating cycle, small cracks or fractures will expand as well, leading to small gaps.
Conclusion
Bottom line, you don’t have to be a genius to realize when to replace your gas water heater. As the expiration date approaches, the heater is likely to experience some of these issues. Maintain the appliance in a good condition and you’ll be able to delay them for as long as possible. Visit https://verellenhc.com/tankless-water-heater/best-natural-gas now to find out which tankless gas water heater suits you the most.
