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What to Watch Out for When It’s Time to Replace Your Water Heater

w.h. winegar water heater

If your hot water heater is approaching ten years, you should prepare for its replacement.

Most homeowners don’t think about their hot water heater until a problem occurs. While there are regular water heater maintenance routines you can complete to extend its life, sooner or later its end will come. If your hot water heater is approaching ten years, you should prepare for its replacement. This is why replacing an aged hot water heater before its time can save you the trouble of being without hot water during the replacement process. Keep reading to learn when it’s time to replace your water heater.

The Unit’s Age

If you are concerned about the lifecycle of your water heater, you should first determine its age. While newer unit models should have the date of manufacturing clearly shown, older versions will need the age decoded. You can determine the age of an older heater by decoding its serial number. Locate your home’s water heater serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker located on the top section of the tank. Knowing the age of your property’s heater can help you plan for its replacement.

Rusty Water

Because water heaters are made out of steel and aluminum, and their primary purpose is to hold and transport heated water, rusting is inevitable. If you see rust-colored water coming from your taps or outlets, it is likely due to rust. Once rust and corrosion have taken hold of your unit, it’s most likely beyond repair. This means it’s time to replace your water heater.

Rumbling Noises

The sound of odd noises coming from your hot water heater may indicate a problem with your unit. Typically, dirt, calcium, and sediment that have accumulated in your unit are the reasons behind rumbling noises. This sediment might jostle when the unit works to heat the water. Over time, this sediment could deteriorate your tank’s interior, clog your drain valve, and even overwork your unit. However, you may be able to flush out the sediment.

Constant Cold Water

If your water temperature has resulted in supplying only lukewarm, cool, or no hot water at all, your unit might be failing. This issue could be the result of multiple elements in your unit being broken or faulty. A loss of hot water could also be due to your home’s hot water needs exceeding the capacity of your existing water heater. If this is the case, an upgrade may be required to satisfy your home’s increased hot water demands.

Water Leaks

You may need to replace your water heater if you notice constant leaks. You will want to determine the source of the leak. If the leak is coming from the unit, turn off the water to prevent further damage to your home and contact W.H. Winegar & Son Plumbing and Heating at 301-384-5818 for a water heater installation. Our team is here to help you select the right water heater that meets your needs and enhances the functionality and comfort of your home.

MAKE W.H. WINEGAR & SON YOUR FIRST CHOICE!

If you’re seeking plumbing or heating repairs, replacements, or other solutions, look no further than W.H. Winegar & Son Plumbing and Heating! With decades worth of industry experience, our leading professionals are guaranteed to find incredible solutions to all your plumbing and heating problems. Now that you know us, let us get to know you! If you are curious about any of our business services, reach us by telephone at 301-384-5818 or fill out this contact form, and one of our representatives will contact you shortly. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn!

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 11th, 2025 at 1:29 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.