5 Signs of Water Heater Failure

Is Your Water Heater Wearing Out?

Your water heater plays an integral role in your Massachusetts home. It provides the warm and hot water you need to bathe, clean your clothes, wash your hands, clean your dishes, and more.

Consider the following statistic: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your water heater is responsible for roughly 20% of your energy bills. That’s a lot of hot water! And that makes it all the more important that your water heater is working properly

Given how important you water heater is, you want to know if it isn’t doing its job. Fortunately, there are some signs you can look out for that warn something is wrong with your water heater and more trouble may be on the way.

Scott Williams provides expert water heater installation, water heater repair, and water heater maintenance in Quincy, Braintree, and nearby Massachusetts towns.

Is Your Water Heater On Its Last Leg?

Don’t wait until your water heater fails you to replace it. When a water heater breaks down, it can cause thousands of dollars in water damage. Plus, you’ll be without hot water until your new water heater is installed. What if it’s winter? Save yourself a lot of stress and expense by keeping an eye on your water heater and making sure it’s doing its job properly. If it isn’t, call the experts at Scott Williams.

Fortunately, water heater breakdowns don’t usually happen unexpectedly. There are usually some clear warning signs. Here are five signs of water heater failure that should prompt you to seek professional intervention:

1. An energy bill increase. If there’s an increase in your energy bills that can’t be explained by an increase in fuel prices or an increase in your hot water usage, then your water heater may be to blame. Water heaters lose efficiency as they get older. Upgrading to a new highly efficient water heater could save you a lot of money over time.
2. Leaks or rusty water. If you notice puddles under your tank or if it starts producing rusty water, that’s a sign of corrosion. This problem is particularly common with steel tanks. Leaks and rust are not problems you should ignore. They’re both signs that your water tank is probably very close to breaking down completely.
3. Hard water stains. Hard water stains show up as white marks on your silverware and glassware after they’ve gone through the dishwasher. Having hard water usually means there is a lime buildup in your tank. A lime buildup in your tank can decrease your water heater’s efficiency and shorten its lifespan.
4. Weird noises. If you hear growling or gurgling sounds coming from your storage tank, it’s probably due to a build-up of sediment in the tank. This is not a problem you should ignore because ignoring it for too long will lead to serious problems that require expensive repairs or premature replacement.
5. Your water heater’s age. The life expectancy of an average tank water heater ranges from 7 to 13 years. If your water heater is 10 years old or older, don’t wait until it breaks. Start researching your replacement options now. Your new water heater will run more efficiently and reliably—saving you money on your energy bills.

Leave It to Scott Williams

Scott Williams serves Massachusetts’s Suffolk County, Norfolk County, and Plymouth County.

Contact Scott Williams today to learn more about how we can keep your water heater in top working condition.