Water Heater Repair in Dalworthington, TX – How Long Do Water Heaters Last?

Traditional water heaters tend to have a long life and can last from anywhere from between 8 to 12 years. Within the heaters, there is an anode rod which protects the interior lining of the tank through the process of electrolysis. Exactly how long does a water heater’s life where it is functioning properly before you need water heater repair in Dalworthington, TX can vary depending on the type of heater. It starts happening when the anode rod in the water tank stops working and the lining starts to get damage. When that point comes, it is good to get water heater repair in Dalworthington, TX done because the heater will not last very long and you might find yourself looking for a replacement soon.

Tankless water heaters happen to have an even longer life, lasting for 20 or more years on average before you need to replace them. They are also known as on demand water heaters because they are not constantly at work trying to maintain a supply of hot water. That is a significant reason why they can last a lot longer than traditional water heaters before you need to call in professionals for water heater repair in Dalworthington, TX.

If you’re not sure about the age of your water heater and you do not have the proper documentation that it came with, there is still a chance that you can find out its age by using the serial number. There is a letter and then a series of numbers that are located somewhere on the upper portion of the water heater. The letters are anywhere from “A” to “L” and they represent the month it was made. For instance “A” is for January. The number after that, for instance if it is “B12”, would mean that the water heater was made in the February of 2012. This is typically how the serial numbers of water heaters work but if you’re not sure, you should check out the manufacturer’s website just to be sure.

Knowing the age is an important factor that can help you determine whether you might need water heater repair in Dalworthington, TX soon. Here is a look at some more signs that you might need to have your water heater repaired.

Strange Noises

Other than the age, one of the most telling signs that you need to call in someone for water heater repair in Dalworthington, TX is noise. During the course of its life, your water heater will start to collect the minerals from the water flowing through it and they will accumulate on the anode rod. These minerals then tend to start settling at the bottom of the water heater. When there is enough sedimentation in the bottom of the water heater, there is a chance you will hear crackling or popping noises coming from it. It is helpful to flush your water heater from time to time so that sedimentation can be reduced but there will come a time that you might need to call in a professional for water heater repair in Dalworthington, TX.

Leakages

If you start seeing water around your water heater, the first thing you should do is properly probe the area and check if all the fittings are alright. Chances are that the pipes or joints connected to the unit are leaking but if none of these things are found to be faulty, your water heater might have developed a crack somewhere. If this is indeed the case, you should get a professional to come in for water repair in Dalworthington, TX because it will only get worse over time.

Strange Smell or Taste

When the traditional water heaters age, there is always a chance that the internal lining starts to flake off. This can result in the water having a strangely metallic smell and taste. This is one of the most clear cut signs that you need water heater repair in Dalworthington, TX. A lot of the time when you get the piping to the water heater changed, the new pipes might give it a bit of metallic taste and smell but you should still be cautious about it. If it persists over time, you might want to get it fixed or you will end up paying a lot to replace the unit.

Reddish Water

Another sign that you need to get water heater repair in Dalworthington, TX done is if the water from the heater is a reddish brown shade. This means either the pipes or the insides of the water heater are badly corroded. Whether it is the pipes or the water heater itself, you need to call in a professional who will be able to determine if the unit can be repaired or if you need to replace it entirely (most of the time a quick repair job actually does the trick).

Water’s Not Hot

It is actually an obvious sign but if the water heater is not heating the water, there is something clearly wrong with the unit. If you have a gas powered water heater, the odds are that the pilot light has just gone out and you need to relight it. That is the first thing you should check for. If the water heater system is electric, you might want to take a look at the circuit breaker to see if it has tripped. It is important to check for these signs before you start worrying about the actual heater itself. Most of the time when the water heater is not heating the water, it is because either the circuit breaker is off or the pilot light has gone out.

If it is quite cold outside, the water heater might simply be having trouble keeping up. Insulating the water heater and the piping can help. If even that does not work, there are a number of things that could be wrong but thankfully you can resolve those problems.

If you ever need water heater repair in Dalworthington, TX, you are in luck. All you need to do is call in the folks at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to come in, take a look and fix it for you. It’s as simple as that.