Is Your Water Heater Ready for the Colder Months? 5 Signs It Needs Attention

Key Takeaways

Your water heater tends to get more use during the cold winter months than the hot days of summer. That makes fall a great time to be proactive and look for signs that your hot water tank needs maintenance or repair. Signals such as water that goes between hot and cold, weird noises coming from the tank, rusty water coming out of faucets, and just having an older system can all point to needing to put some attention on your unit. The good news is that water heater preventative maintenance can help you avoid a sudden loss or replacement.

Why Water Heater Preventive Maintenance Matters

Fewer things feel better on a cold day than a hot shower. When that hot shower suddenly turns lukewarm or cold, your day can suddenly go from good to bad.

You might be surprised to find only cold water coming out of your faucet, but your unit was likely giving off warning signals before your cold shower. Knowing what to look for in your system gives you time to schedule a service call so you can get your hot water tank fixed or replaced before the cold really settles in. Here are five signs that your water heater is crying out for attention.

1. Your Hot Water Doesn’t Stay Hot

Does your shower start hot and then get cold by the time you’re done? That tends to be the first sign people notice that alerts them to look into their water heater. It could be that your family and its water needs have simply outgrown the size of your tank. Or it might be that you have a malfunctioning component. Either way, this is definitely a sign that you should call someone to take a look at your unit.

2. You Hear Popping or Rumbling Sounds

Your hot water tank shouldn’t make itself known from the utility room. If you hear sounds like popping, banging, or rumbling, you might have sediment buildup. When that happens, the sediment that settles to the bottom of the tank can get in the way of normal operations and make your unit work harder than it should. A service provider can take a look and see if your system needs a flush, repair, or something else.

3. You Notice Water Around the Tank

Depending on where your hot water tank is, you might not look at it very often (or ever). Take a moment to give it a look, especially around it. If there’s a puddle, that’s a clear indicator that something is wrong. It might be something that could be repaired, like a pipe or valve. However, it could also mean your tank has a leak, which will require a total replacement, not to mention water damage and mold buildup. If you see water around your tank, call someone today.

4. Your Hot Water Looks Rusty

You know what water looks like coming out of your tap. If it starts looking rusty or otherwise discolored, you might have corrosion somewhere in your plumbing system or tank. If you only notice this discoloration when you’re running hot water, then it’s likely your unit. Corrosion is not usually an issue with newer systems, but if your equipment is several years old, it’s a possibility.

5. Your Water Heater Is Getting Older

Unfortunately, hot water tanks don’t last forever. Sometimes the biggest warning sign is the equipment’s age. Traditional tank systems commonly last around 8 to 12 years, while some tankless systems can last considerably longer. If your unit is about to celebrate its 9th or 10th birthday, then you should consider whether it is time to replace it. Having someone look at your system can help you determine if it can make it through another winter or if now’s the best time to replace it.

Get Your Hot Water Tank Ready for Colder Weather

Don’t wait for an unexpected and unpleasant cold shower to find out there’s something wrong with your system. Schedule regular water heater preventive maintenance to help proactively identify issues and keep your system operating as it should. At Smith & Keene, our plumbing maintenance plans include an annual inspection, plus flushing for a standard hot water tank.

We’re available to inspect, repair, and replace water heaters in and around Hampton Roads, with plumbing services available throughout Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, and surrounding communities. Schedule service today.