Much depends on your water supply and the quality of the hot water heater purchased, but typically residential hot water heaters last between six and 13 years. If the leak is coming from the tank due to corrosion or old age, the water heater will have to be replaced. If the leak is coming from the TPR valve, the valve element can likely be replaced, fixing the problem and saving you from replacing the entire water tank. This will at least prevent a flooded basement and wasting of gallons of water. If you see a noticeable leak, turn off your water supply at the building shut-off valve and call a licensed plumber immediately. Remember – a leaking hot water heater can flood your entire home in a matter of hours causing damage far exceeding the cost of a replacement unit! Clear signs of leaks from your tank calls for immediate action and replacement of the water heater. If you see any pooling water beneath your tank, corrosion is leading to fractures and cracks in the tank or your TPR valve has a serious leak. 5 – Your Hot Water Heater Tank is Leaking If no water flows through the pipe or you just get a trickle of water, call a plumber immediately to replace the valve and ensure that debris or equipment malfunction is not causing a malfunction. Hot water should rush out of the end of the drainpipe. To test your hot water heater’s TPR valve, put a bucket beneath the valve and raise and lower the test lever several times so it lifts the brass stem that the valve is fastened to. Tanks have been reported to rocket through floors in homes, causing catastrophic property damage and potential personal injury. If your TPR valve malfunctions and is not fixed, your water tank could exceed boiling point and burst. A failed safety relief valve can cause tremendous damage. The two main issues are a leaking TPR, or there is poor water flow through the pipe when you test the valve.īuildup of rust, mineral deposits, and corrosion can cause a TPR valve to freeze and fail to function properly. The temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve on your water heater opens to relive buildup, and prevents temperature or pressure from building dangerously high, preventing a burst tank or, worse, explosion. The pressure relief valve on a hot water tank is an unheralded but essential safety mechanism on your hot water heater. It’s better to be proactive and replace your tank or rusty pipes before the situation gets worse. However, once the rust reaches your hot water tank or plumping pipes, it will cause corrosion and eventually leaks. The EPA reports that rust in water does not present immediate health concerns. If you have your unit inspected and it’s working okay, you can add a water filter for a fix on the color or smell. When these sediments get out into your water supply, they clog faucets and plumbing valves, reduce water flow, and cause other plumbing failures. A metallic odor or taste often accompanies these deposits. Cloudy water happens when contaminants and deposits travel out of the water tank and into your water supply. If your hot water is looking a little murky or you detect a metallic smell (or taste) to it, you have signs of a failing hot water heater. 3 – Your Water Doesn’t Look or Smell Right Water heaters that make odd noises despite being flushed are likely on the verge of a crack or leak, and a tank replacement is the best solution. If your hot water heater is still making noise once it has been flushed, there is probably a more serious problem with the unit overall. Have your tank flushed to remove any buildup inside the tank, and give a technician a chance to inspect the plumbing elements. Mineral deposits can cause popping sounds, and pockets of air in the sediment layer will cause rumbling noises. Mineral buildup and hard water can be to blame when it comes to water heater noises as well. If your water heater is making popping, creaking or rumbling noises, it’s time to call Gelinas HVAC. Strange noises coming from your hot water heater is another common signal of water heater failure. You can extend the longevity of your water heater by scheduling regular flushing of your water tank with a plumbing professional. Eventually, it will fail – causing leaking or ceasing to operate altogether. If you ignore these signs, sediment continues to build up, stressing your hot water heater’s heating element. Consequently, less heat reaches the water, so you showers get colder! These deposits continue to build up, and eventually create a barrier between the water and burner. Over time, as water is heated in the storage tank (via a gas or electrical source), the mineral deposits in water separate and settle out at the bottom of the tank. If your shower is giving you lukewarm water or it takes a long time to get hot water coming to your faucets, you have a problem. The most common sign of a failing hot water heater is lack of sufficient hot water when you need it.
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