Whether the appliance has become inefficient, thus not supplying you with enough hot water, or it has stopped working completely for one reason or another, here’s what you will have to do. In short, you will have to start thinking about getting water heater repair or replacement services. Naturally, when you hire the right professionals, they will advise you on what to do, that is, whether to repair or replace.

While repairing the appliance is probably your first choice, simply because it may cost less, and it may require less time to be completed, the truth is that this isn’t always the best course of action. For one thing, replacements may be necessary because no repair can wind up fixing the problem. And then, there is also the fact that you may be spending a lot of money of frequent repairs, in which case you should also undeniably consider replacing the device.

Anyway, as mentioned above, when you hire the right professionals to inspect the water heater, they will know precisely whether repairs can do the trick, or if you may need a brand new device. Furthermore, apart from advising you what you need to do, they will also be ready to do it for you, quickly and efficiently, thus ensuring that your home is properly supplied with hot water, which is undeniably not something you want to be without. So, hiring professionals in any case is a must, because you want to get the problem resolved right away.

Yet, what you may be curious about is when it is that you need to hire those professionals. In other words, what are the reasons, or the signs, that your water heater needs to be repaired or replaced? Well, that is what we are going to be discussing above, as I’ll share a list of 5 common reasons to keep in mind and be aware of. Without any further ado, thus, let us get started.

Here are some signs your water heater is about to fail to be on the lookout for: 

Strange Noises

First things first, if you have noticed some strange noises coming out of your water heater, you shouldn’t ignore them. And yet, we all do have the tendency of ignoring those, thinking that they will go away on their own, and not even considering the fact that there may be a problem inside the device causing those noises. Whether we are talking about popping, rumbling, whining, banging or knocking sounds, the point is that you should never ignore those.

They can be indicators of various problems. From sediment buildup inside the tank to malfunctioning heating elements, the noises could be signs of pretty much anything. One thing is for sure, though. No matter what the cause is, those strange noises are certainly reasons for you to contact professionals, let them inspect the device and then repair or replace it, depending on what the best course of action is in your particular case.

Leaks Around the Heater

Now, a more noticeable and a more serious reason, that is, one that you probably won’t be able to ignore, is a leak around the water heater. Once again, this can be caused by several different things, from loose fittings to a corroded tank. If the problem is caused by, say, those loose fittings, or perhaps a faulty valve, then a simple repair may do the trick and return the device to its normal functioning. On the other hand, if the tank is leaking due to corrosion, then you may have no other choice but to replace it, as no repairs will be able to fix the problem. As mentioned several times, though, the professional you’ll hire will be the judge of that, advising you on the right course of action.

Rusty Water

Since we’ve mentioned corrosion, let us continue along the same lines. Basically, if you notice rusty water coming out of your heater, then that is definitely a reason for you to hire professionals and get the necessary repair or replacement services. And, believe it or not, even though you probably think that rust is a clear sign that you need replacements, the truth is that, sometimes and for some problems, repairs can do the trick.

Let me elaborate. If the anode rod, a critical component inside this device which basically serves to attract corrosion so that it doesn’t go to the tank, deteriorates, you may be able to fix the problem by replacing the rod, and thus prolonging the lifespan of your device. Yet, if the tank itself is actually rusting, then, as you may have guessed it, replacing the device could be your only option. Find out more about how to extend the life of your water heater.

Inconsistent Water Temperature

If the temperature of the water coming from your heater is fluctuating unpredictably, that’s undoubtedly a reason to call in the pros. This could be caused by a malfunctioning thermostat, sediment buildup, or perhaps failing heating elements. In any of those cases, when you hire the right professionals, they will detect the problem and do the necessary repairs. 

The Water Heater Is Very Old

Here is one final reason why you may want to hire those professionals. And, it is actually a clear reason to replace, instead of repair, your water heater. If you’ve been experiencing frequent problems, and thus paying for frequent repairs, you will undeniably understand the benefit of replacing the old device with a new one, and thus saving some money in the long run, due to not having to pay for quick fixes time and time again.