Signs Your Water Heater Is Going Bad

What are the first signs of a water heater going bad? Usually the heater tells you before it quits: the water turns rusty, the tank rumbles, the hot water runs out sooner, or a puddle appears. Catching these early can save you from water damage and a cold shower. Here is what to watch for, from a family-owned Gravenhurst contractor serving Muskoka since 1975.

1. Rusty or Discolored Water

Brown, orange or rust-tinted hot water, especially when the cold water runs clear, often points to corrosion inside the tank. A tank that is corroding from the inside is nearing the end of its life. Metallic-smelling or cloudy water can also be a sign of sediment.

2. Rumbling, Popping or Banging Noises

Over time, minerals settle at the bottom of the tank as sediment. The heater has to work through that layer, and trapped water boils beneath it, causing popping and rumbling. Sediment reduces efficiency and strains the tank. Flushing the tank can help if it is caught early, but heavy buildup in an older heater is a warning sign.

3. Not Enough Hot Water, or Water That Is Never Hot

If your showers run cold sooner than they used to, the heating element, thermostat or a dip tube may be failing, or sediment may be taking up room in the tank. Water that is lukewarm at best is a common sign that a repair or replacement is due.

4. Leaks and Moisture Around the Tank

Water pooling around the base is the one to take seriously. A leak from a fitting, valve or drain can sometimes be repaired. A leak from the tank itself cannot, and the heater needs to be replaced. If you see water coming from the tank, shut off the water supply to the heater and call a professional.

5. Changes in Water Pressure

Reduced hot water pressure can mean mineral buildup in pipes or fittings. If the problem is only on the hot side, the water heater or its connections may be the cause.

6. Age of the Heater

Even without obvious symptoms, an older tank is a risk. If you do not know how old your heater is, the serial number on the label usually tells you. A heater at or beyond its expected service life is a candidate for planned replacement rather than an emergency one.

7. Pilot Light, Burner or Expansion Tank Problems

A pilot that keeps going out, a yellow or flickering flame on a gas heater, or a leaking relief valve or expansion tank all need prompt attention. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility or emergency services.

Repair or Replace?

How do you know when to replace your water heater? - Repair usually makes sense for a newer heater with a single failed part such as an element, thermostat or valve. - Replace usually makes sense when the tank is leaking, corroded, or old, or when repairs keep coming back.

Replacement is also a chance to change type. You can compare Tankless Water Heater Installation and Heat Pump Water Heater Installation, or read the Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters.

Water Heater Repair and Replacement in Muskoka

Bridlewood Mechanical handles water heater repair, replacement and routine maintenance across Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and the Muskoka region. See our Water Heater Installation & Repair page for the systems we work with.

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Call (705) 706-7622 or request a free quote online.