Your Water Heater Won’t Last Forever
Generally speaking, interested individuals can expect their water heaters to remain functional for between 8 to 12 years. However, this is a very imprecise estimate, not least because there is a wide range of factors that can push a particular water heater’s useful lifespan one way or the other. For example, some manufacturers make longer-lasting water heaters than others. Likewise, other relevant factors range from the installation location and installation method to the water heater’s maintenance schedule. Unfortunately, this makes it rather difficult for most people in Orange County, CA to figure out whether their water heater needs water heater repair or not, though there are some telltale signs that can be very informative in this regard.
What Are 5 Signs That You Need Water Heater Repair?
Here are 5 signs that you should be calling for water heater repair services sooner rather than later:
1.  Age
People who are concerned about the state of their water heater should start by checking its age. Generally speaking, they can do so by looking at its serial number. Please note that the serial number will not provide said information in a standard format. Instead, the serial number will start with a letter followed by two numbers. The letter reveals the month in which the water heater was made based on the letter’s position in the alphabet, while the two numbers correspond to the last two digits of the year in which the water heater was made. As a result, if interested individuals see a serial number starting with “H12,” they will know that the water heater was made in August of 2012. Once they have this information, they can compare the age of their water heater with the life expectancy of their water heater, which should provide them with a good idea about whether they should be scrutinizing it for signs of imminent failure.
2.  Discolored Water
Discolored water is a sure sign that something is wrong. For example, if the water is murky with a bad smell, that could mean mineral build-up that necessitates calling in plumbing repair services. Likewise, if the water seems to have either a red or orange color to it, that could mean that either the water heater or something else in the system has rusted. Whatever the case, rusty water means that interested individuals should call for water heater repair services sooner rather than later. Apparently, consuming small amounts of rust isn’t dangerous for the human body, but it is definitely unsightly to see. On top of that, rust worsens over time, meaning that it is better to get the source of the problem fixed sooner rather than later.
3.  Noises
Water heaters shouldn’t be making noises such as pops and rumbles. If you can hear their water heater making excessive noise, they should call in water heater repair services to get it looked at. Chances are good that the excessive noise is being made by sediment that has formed in the water heater, which is a huge problem for a couple of reasons. One, the presence of the sediment means that it is more difficult for the water heater to get the water to the right temperature, thus making for higher operating costs. Two, the increased amount of time needed to heat water puts increased stress on the water heater, meaning that it will experience faster and faster deterioration.
4.  Leaks
Leaks are one of the most serious issues when it comes to water heaters. In part, this is because leaks mean increased water consumption, which in turn, means a bigger water bill for people in Orange County, CA. However, it should also be noted that a particularly bad leak can wreak havoc with the surroundings, thus resulting in considerable damage on top of a long and time-consuming clean-up. In most cases, leaks happen because repeated heating cycles will cause expansions of the metal of the tank holding the water, but there are other potential causes, with an excellent example being improper fittings. Whatever the cause, leaks should always convince interested individuals to call in water heater repair services because they can get worse with surprising speed.
5.  Not Enough Hot Water
Fundamentally, water heaters exist to make sure that interested individuals have enough hot water for whatever use they have in mind. As a result, if a water heater is no longer capable of providing enough hot water, it is time to start looking into the source of the problem so that it can be fixed as soon as possible. After all, we are used to hot water for everything from washing our hands to washing our dishes, meaning that a lack of hot water will be very unpleasant in ways that we never realized until it happens to us.
Should You Repair or Replace Your Water Heater?
Having said that, people might need to make a choice between repairing and replacing their water heater when they call in water heater repair services. Essentially, repairing water heaters is a good way to extend their usefulness lifespan. However, there is a limit to how much even the best repairs can help, meaning that there will come a point when the economics of a repair will actually outweigh the economics of a replacement. As such, when people mull over such issues, they should ask their water heater repair specialists to get a clear idea of what they can expect from the repair so that they can make the choice that is most financially sensible for them.
Contact Us
If you have noticed some kind of issue with their water heater should you should contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Orange County, CA at their earliest convenience. The sooner that we are in touch, the sooner that we can get started on resolving the source of the problem to their satisfaction. Better still, our water heater repair specialists are both friendly and knowledgeable, meaning that they are a great source of advice for those who need it.
Photo By Koldunova Anna at Shutterstock

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