If we were to ask you which home comfort system you depend on the most, you’d probably say your heater. Although you rely on your heating system throughout much of the year here in Washington state, your water heater works just as hard.
Think about how many times in a day you depend on having hot water flow from your taps. Your water heater is a real workhorse, one that you depend on to do its job 24/7, 365 days a year. When the slightest things start to go wrong with your supply of hot water, you immediately notice. Imagine having lukewarm water when washing your hands, cold water when taking a shower, or even worse–no water at all.
If you’re beginning to suspect that something is off with your water heater, you may be hoping that all you need is water heater repair in Tacoma. Here are some signs to watch out for that mean it’s time to call us for repairs.
Lack of Hot Water
Not having enough hot water to meet your family’s needs is truly frustrating. If you’re experiencing lukewarm showers or hot showers that turn cold halfway, or if the water temperature fluctuates between hot and cold, these definitely warrant calling us to diagnose and fix the problem. There could be an issue with the water pressure or with the showerhead mixer valve. Or it could mean that your current tank water heater isn’t meeting the demands of your household.
Water Leaks
Water heaters shouldn’t have any leaks. The only place where you should see water is from the pressure relief valve and that should only be the occasional drip. If the tank is leaking or if water has pooled around the base, you need to schedule repairs sooner rather than later.
Signs of Rust or Corrosion
Although water heaters are built to resist rust, as a water heater ages it’ll start to struggle with rust and corrosion. It’s only natural when water meets metal for too long. Signs that your water heater is losing the battle against corrosion can be seen when rust appears on the top of the tank, in the water itself, on the heat exchanger, or on the body of the tank itself. A rusty, corroded tank is usually a sign that the water heater is due for replacement.
It’s Making Strange Noises
A healthy water heater should operate noiselessly. If you hear it making strange noises such as a high-pitched whistle, hissing, or rumbling sounds, these noises can mean it’s struggling to do its job.
Your Water Heater Is Old
It’s important to keep your water heater’s age in mind when thinking about its performance. The age of your system is a strong indicator of when a repair should be a replacement. The average lifespan of a water heater is 10-15 years. A water heater that is beyond this and that’s exhibiting some major issues is overdue for a replacement.
Reach out to Sunset Air for professional water heater repair and more!
