If your tank water heater is more than 10 years old, it may be time to consider replacing it. With proper maintenance, a tank water heater tank should last six to 12 years. A tankless water heater can last for more than 20 years. Check your water heater's warranty for the most accurate timelines.
Water heaters show several signs of going bad, including lack of hot water, temperature fluctuations, decreased water pressure, strange noises, rotten egg smell, visible leaks, rusty or discolored water, and increased energy bills. If your water heater is over 10 years old, it may be time to consider a replacement.
Common signs that it's time to replace your water heater include its age (usually 10-15 years), rusty or discolored water, strange noises, leaks or pooling water around the tank, and insufficient hot water supply.
A faulty pressure relief valve, cloudy water, popping noises, and a lack of hot water are other potentially dangerous signs. If you see water leakage, contact a plumbing professional right away to detect the problems with your water heating system.
Water leaks are perhaps the most common type of water heater issue you'll face. Any water heater will start to leak eventually, as by nature water will eventually corrode your tank and create microscopic cracks or fractures.
Testing the Heating Element with a Multimeter:
The multimeter should read between 10 and 30 ohms if the heating element is working correctly. If you get a very low or zero reading, it indicates a faulty heating element that needs replacement.
How Common Are Water Heater Explosions? Thanks to modern safety features and regulations, water heater explosions are rare. In 2022, 108 incidents involving hot water heaters were reported to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
A water heater making strange noises could be a sign that the unit is beginning to fail. These sounds may include popping, banging, or even rumbling. Hot water heater noises are usually caused by sediment build-up on the bottom of the tank. When this happens, it can cause the unit to overheat and eventually fail.
Once you decide to (or are forced to) replace your current water heater, there are a few decisions you need to make to get the process started. If there are no issues or complications, a licensed plumber should be able to complete the process in 2-3 hours.
If neither you nor a professional have flushed your water within the last five years, Water Heaters Now recommends not flushing it yourself.
If you suspect your water heater is more than 10 years old—it is time to consider replacing it before you're left with an emergency decision. To determine the age of your water heater, you'll need to identify the Brand Name and Serial Number for your unit.
If your hot water is no longer coming out hot or is only hot some of the time, it may be time to replace the heater. Sometimes the devices and mechanisms inside will wear down or break, causing your heater to stop heating. In some cases, this may require a simple repair.
You'll spend between $20 and $50 on the rod. If you choose to hire a water heater pro to get the job done, an anode rod replacement will cost you between $200 and $300. If you're not sure whether to handle this repair yourself, first examine your water heater.
However, most professionals recommend inspecting the anode rod every one to three years and replacing it every four to five years. If your water supply has a high mineral content or if your water heater usage is heavy, these timelines may need to be shortened.
Popping Noise
Another sign of a potential explosion waiting to happen in your water heater would be those frequent popping noises you hear as sediment buildup settles to the bottom of the tank. The sediment blocks the heating element, creating a barrier between the heat source and the water in the tank.
If your water heater is leaking around the seams, the tank may need to be replaced. If the temperature/pressure relief (TPR) valve is dripping and pooling around the bottom of the tank, that could be a sign of dangerous pressures developing inside the tank.
Can you change a water heater element without draining the tank? No, you'll need to drain the tank before changing a water heater element, as the water heater element sticks through the side of the tank and uses a gasket to prevent water from pouring out.