There are many aspects of your Murrieta home that are essential for everyday functioning but often get forgotten about. One of these is your water heater. Although it can be easy to overlook this part of your home’s operations until your shower turns ice cold, it’s crucial that you properly maintain it and look for signs of aging before anything severe happens. If you notice any of these things happening in your home, then it’s time to call a plumbing service in Murrieta and replace your water heater.

1. Visible Rust

One alarming sign of an old water heater is the appearance of rust. This rust is commonly found on the water heater itself, but you may also experience rusty tap water if the inside of the unit has begun to corrode. This can be repaired if your water heater begins to corrode after only a few years. However, if your water heater is old and nearing the end of its lifespan anyway, it’s usually much more cost-effective to have your Murrieta plumbing service replace the entire unit.

2. Lack of Hot Water

One of the most obvious signs of a failing water heater is a lack of hot water. If you notice that your showers get icy cold after just a few minutes, that’s usually an indication that your water heater is nearing the end of its life. Water heaters heat water less and less effectively as they age, and they lose capacity over time due to a buildup of sediment. This all causes your hot water to run out after a relatively short time compared to when the unit was first installed.

3. Strange Noises

As previously mentioned, sediment can build up in the bottom of your water heater over the years of its life, reducing your heater’s capacity as well as its ability to effectively heat your water. If this buildup becomes significant, it can create a barrier between the water and the heating elements and cause the unit to overheat. This could result in a mechanical malfunction that results in a banging or popping noise. If you notice that your water heater is making these unusual noises on a regular basis, call Murrieta’s premier plumbing service, ProFlo HVAC & Plumbing.

4. Signs of Leaks

This dangerous sediment buildup and other natural causes could result in small fractures in your water heater which cause a leak. A leaking water heater can be extremely dangerous due to the risk of bursting, so be vigilant about looking for leaks and puddles around your water heater if it’s getting up there in age. If you do notice any water leaking, call a plumbing repair service right away. ProFlo is the premier leak detection and pipe leak repair expert in Murrieta and the surrounding Inland Empire.

5. Old Age

Like most other household appliances, your water heater has a finite lifespan that will eventually run out. No matter how diligent you are with plumbing maintenance, there’ll inevitably come a time when your old unit will fail and you’ll need to replace your water heater. The average lifespan of a water heater is six to eight years, and it can be risky to keep a water heater past the ten year mark, even if it seems to be operating without significant issues. If you’ve had your water heater for this amount of time, it’s a good idea to start looking for replacement units. Similarly, if you find yourself in need of repairs very frequently, it may be more cost-effective to replace the unit entirely after years of use.

If you notice a pipe leak, rusty water, or any of these other common signs of water heater failure, it’s time to call an expert plumbing service in Murrieta. We specialize in leak detection, pipe leak repairs, toilet repairs, water heater services, and all other aspects of residential and commercial plumbing. To schedule an appointment for a free water heater installation quote, give us a call at (951) 694-1300 today.