Have you had your last cold shower? You never have to experience the unpleasant surprise of icy water cascading over your naked body if your water heater is working properly.
As Queens plumbers, we can tell you no one wants to replace their water heater until they have to. However, there’s only so long you can delay this necessary plumbing repair. If you are experiencing any of the following signs, it’s a head’s up that your water heater may be on its way out:
Your water heater is more than 15 years old.
The expected useful life of a water heater depends on a number of factors, including the environment the water heater is located in and how much it’s used. That being said, you can figure on 10-15 years. After that, it’s time to replace.
You don’t have hot water the way you’d like to.
If your hot water doesn’t get hot enough, or you don’t have a constant, steady supply of hot water, it’s time to talk to your Queens plumber about what the situation is. They’ll examine the water heater to ensure there’s no issue with the power supply or controls. In some instances, water heater repair is a possibility. Your Queens plumber will let you know what your options are.
Your water heater is leaking.
If you notice water pooling underneath or near your water heater, call your Queens plumber right away. A leaky water heater can be dangerous. Water heaters are equipped with a pressure relief valve that is intended to deal with a buildup of water in the tank. If that valve doesn’t work properly, your water tank can explode – and nobody wants that!
Leaky water heaters can cause other, less dramatic problems as well. The most common risk is damage to your water heater’s heating element. Also – your floors, walls, and possessions really do better when they’re not wet.
