Ice-cold water can be quite ineffective when used for cleaning. Besides, working with extremely cold water can be very uncomfortable. This explains why a properly functioning water heater is an integral part of modern residential plumbing systems. Your water heater ensures your house in Rockville, MD is supplied with hot water all the time. However, like any other appliance, the water heater is not designed to outlast your house. Indeed, most water heaters will need to be replaced after a decade or so since they get ineffective and inefficient as they age. Therefore, even if you have just installed a new water heater, there is a good chance you will need to replace it in the future. But how can you tell it is time for a water heater replacement?
A water heater replacement can be quite a costly project. Depending on factors such as the size and type of water heater you want, the job will cost you anything between $600 and $3500. Therefore, you do not want to replace your water heater when it has no serious problems. However, you also do not want to wait until your water heater is completely dysfunctional. A timely water heater replacement will give you enough time to shop around and allow you to get the job done when it is most convenient for you. But how can you tell it is time for water heater replacement in Rockville, MD? Below is a rundown of the signs that should prompt you to start preparing to replace your old water heater with a new one.
Age of Your Water Heater
As mentioned earlier, no water heater is designed to last forever. On average, water heaters last between 10 and 15 years. In other words, every water heater has an expiry date. However, this does not mean that your heater will automatically stop running on its expiration date. However, around that time, the appliance might develop issues that might make it less reliable. For instance, its heating elements may wear out more rapidly, causing your water heater to serve you with tepid water. Besides, your water heater might become inefficient and push your energy bills higher. Therefore, if your water heater is more than ten years old, it makes sense for you to start planning for a water heater replacement.
Discolored Hot Water
Of course, you expect the water coming from your water heater to be clean and clear. Therefore, if it has an unusual color, there is a legitimate reason to be concerned, and you might even wonder if the water is safe for you and your family. The brown color is one of the most unusual colors you are likely to notice when a water heater is approaching the end of its life. This is because most water heaters are made of steel, which can rust and consequently give your hot water a brown pigment. The good news is that rust has no known negative health impacts. However, you do not want to drink or cook with discolored water. Besides, the rusty water from your water heater might stain your clothes and even damage some appliances. Therefore, when you notice that the water coming from your water heater is discolored, you need to make a quick call to your professional plumbing contractor. The professional will assess the condition of your water heater and help you determine if it’s time for a water heater replacement.
Frequent Water Heater Breakdowns
Like any other machine, you can expect your water heater to break down from time to time. This is why water heater repair services exist in the first place. However, with proper use and maintenance, water heater breakdowns should be few and far between. In other words, although your water heater can break down at some point, it should not get to a point where you need to call a professional water heater repair service every few days or weeks. This is because water heater breakdowns can be quite disruptive and expensive. Therefore, when you notice your water heater is breaking down too frequently, you might need to start talking to a professional water heater replacement service about the need to start shopping for a replacement water heater. The new replacement water heater will be more reliable, meaning that you will not have to go to bed worrying about not finding hot water in your bathroom the following morning.
You Run Out of Hot Water Frequently
Under normal circumstances, your water heater works hard behind the scenes to ensure your house has a constant supply of hot water. Therefore, if you keep running out of hot water, there is a legitimate reason for you to be concerned. Indeed, you do not want to run out of hot water in the middle of a hot shower. However, if your family has grown over time, the new demand for hot water in your house may be too high for your old water heater. If this is the case, you will need to work with a professional water heater replacement expert to get the size of the water heater for your home. Alternatively, you can buy a tankless water heater, which will supply hot water on demand more reliably and efficiently.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, the importance of a timely water heater replacement cannot be overemphasized. This is because an aging water heater can be quite unreliable and expensive to run. Therefore, by replacing your water heater on time, you can save money and avoid the inconveniences that can be caused by a water heater approaching the end of its life. If you are looking for a dependable plumbing contractor to help you replace your old water heater in Rockville, MD, Clarksburg Plumbing is the answer. We have been replacing water heaters for a long time, and you can count on our experience to do a perfect job. Call us today to learn more about our company and services.
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