“So here’s the situation,” Frank said. “I want to take a shower. Not in icy cold water, just a normal hot shower. So I have learned I need to turn on the water and let it run a little bit to achieve a reasonable temperature. But lately that little bit I have had to let the water run has gotten longer and longer and longer – without the water getting much hotter. What’s going on? Do I need a plumber?”
Signs the Water Heater Needs Attention
As plumbers in the Lower East Side, we hear a lot of questions about water heaters. People want to know why they have no hot water, or why the water takes forever to heat up, or why they have hot water sometimes but not other times. The answer to these questions often has to do with the state and condition of your water heater.
Water heaters are built to last a long time, but they don’t last forever. The typical useful life of a water heater is between 15-20 years. Water heaters sometimes fail before this typical lifespan due to the environmental conditions the water heater is experiencing, the content of the water (does it have a lot of minerals in it), and how much hot water the water heater needs to produce on a regular basis.
Water heater issues don’t resolve on their own. If you’re experiencing a total absence of hot water, have hot water only intermittently, or the hot water takes a long time to show up, have your Lower East Side plumber check the situation out. Your water heater may need its element replaced, controls adjusted, or even just a thorough cleaning to operate properly. Water heater replacement is needed if the tank is leaking water, is in poor condition, or has other significant damage.
