Water heaters are built to last, even with the massive amount of demand that they have to deal with on a regular basis. Regular maintenance and prompt repairs can extend the life of a water heater by quite a few years, but sooner or later the system won’t be able to cope anymore. If your water heater is on its last legs, it’s a good idea to make sure that you know about it beforehand. Otherwise, you may just find yourself without hot water one morning. Nobody wants to experience that. It’s a good idea to know the signs that your water heater is about to fail, so that you can replace it before that happens.
Consistently Low Output
Water heaters can be overwhelmed with demand, of course. If you’re taking hour-long showers, you are definitely going to run out of hot water at some point. There’s a difference between that, though, and a water heater that can’t provide enough hot water for even a moderate amount of demand.
If your water heater is not capable of providing hot water to the level that it used to, it may be that the system is simply too old to keep up anymore. It’s also possible that there is a specific problem hampering the system, of course, but you’ll need to have a professional examine it to determine that for certain.
Frequent Problems
Though water heaters are designed to last quite a while, they aren’t immune to problems. Eventually, you’re going to have to repair your water heater for some reason. This should become more concerning if the frequency goes up, however. If you need to repair your water heater every few years, it’s par for the course. If you need to repair your water heater multiple times a year, though, it probably means that the wear and tear on the system is extensive enough that parts are failing in groups. That level of repair frequency is a prime indication that your water heater is nearing the end of its life, and needs to be replaced.
Old Age
No matter how careful you are with repairs and maintenance, there’s nothing you can do about simple old age. The average water heater’s lifespan is between 10-15 years. You can extend that for a little while if you put a lot of effort into it, but once a water heater gets older than that it will be far more likely to develop issues like those listed above. It’s generally much more cost effective to replace your water heater with an entirely new system at this point. If you’re not sure whether or not your old water heater should be replaced, make sure that you consult with a professional.
Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing provides a full range of water heater replacement services in Bethesda, MD. If you need to have your water heater replaced, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert technicians. We can find you a water heater that will serve you well for years to come.