3 Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repair or Replacing

A lot of us take heated water for granted—but truth be told is that your water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home! Daily, it’s responsible for heating up and storing enough hot water for you to take a shower, fill your dishwasher, and aid in your next load of laundry. If it breaks or stops working properly, then you have no hot water at all. Unfortunately, most of us know exactly how inconvenient that can be.

That’s why it’s so important that you know when there are signs that indicate it might be time to replace the device before something goes wrong—as well as the best way to find a water heater replacement in the event of a total unit failure:

Concerning Sounds and/or Noises

Be sure to keep an ear out for “unusual” noises coming from your water tank. These could be described as “pops”, bangs, whining, whistling, or gurgling among the most common. If your existing unit is making any of these distinct sounds, it’s trying to tell you something is amiss!

Most times, noises coming from a water heater tank are produced by either burning sediment and scale, or a deteriorating heating element. Boiling sounds are by far the most worrisome, as they generally indicate intense overheating and/or pressure buildup.

Either way, if you start hearing these sounds, you should never ignore it!

Fluctuating Water Temperatures

It’s easy to ignore fluctuations in water temperature, but it could be a signal that a much bigger issue with your water heater. For instance, if you notice that your hot water is coming out super-hot one second, then too cold the next, this might be a sign that the thermostat of your tank isn’t working properly and needs to be replaced.

Additionally, if the water is still consistently too hot or cold even when the thermostat is set to the proper temperature, the heating elements may be the culprit.

Odd Water Color, Odor, or Taste

If your water has an odd color, a strange odor, or a funny taste, this may be due to issues with the heater. The tank needs to be checked for rust and for signs of corrosion. Usually, rust in your water heater is caused by a rod known as the “anode rod”, a rod made of magnesium or aluminum that sits in your water tank. Over time, that rod deteriorates and eventually may need to be replaced entirely.

Typically, hot water odors and discolorations first require flushing your water tank. Try draining the tank, filling it with 32 ounces of bleach and then flushing it again to eliminate odor-causing bacteria and remove rust. Alternatively, you can turn up the temperature to 160 degrees for about an hour or so.

After draining the tank, run the hot water for a few minutes to determine if the unusual smell and colors are gone. If not, you’ll need to replace the anode rod.

Make sure when doing this to also inspect the outside of your water heater, for obvious, visually noticeable damage such as cracks or leaks that may coincide. If you have any suspicions that something isn’t right, consider having a professional investigate the problem further.

Water Heater Replacement Options

If you find yourself in need of a water heater replacement, don’t wait! Our expert team at Casey Energy has decades of experience in water heater sales, service, and installation in the Connecticut area and will be happy to serve you. A new energy-efficient water heater might be a great option to not only keep the warm water flowing, but save you money and reduce system emissions, too!

We’ll help you find the right size and type—we offer both tanked and tankless models—of water heater for your home and budget from among the top-quality brands we sell such as Navien. We’ll install it quickly, with no hassles or return visits.

Learn more about our water heater services give us a shout to speak to one of our associates!