No appliance will work forever, and that applies to your water heater, as well. One day, you’ll find out that you need a water heater replacement for your Pennsylvania home. The big question is whether you decide to get a new water heater before or after it fails and floods your basement. Knowing when you should swap out your water can be the difference between a small cash investment versus a major investment to also fix up some water damage. McHale’s can help you learn when it’s time to retire your water heater.

Here are five signs that should have you looking for a water heater replacement for your Pennsylvania home:

Rusty and/or muddy water

Rust in your water is a sign of internal corrosion in either your plumbing pipes or your water heater. If the pipes or internal tank corrosion isn’t the problem, check for rust on the tank seams, the water supply line, the drain valve, and the temperature and pressure release valves. Meanwhile, muddy water is a sign that sediment is building up in your tank. You can clear it out by flushing the tank. However, be careful if you’re flushing your tank for the first time after years of neglect. The sediment may create and plug up holes in the tank, and flushing it out may open up these holes. Holes like these are clear-cut signs a replacement is necessary.

Tank leaks

Standing water and a leaking water tank are sure signs you need to get a new water heater. Sadly, there’s no easy fix for cracks and leaks. We suggest calling us as soon as you can and talk about getting a new water heater.

Old age

A simple indicator of your water heater’s health is how long it has been in use. Tank water heaters can last around ten to fifteen years if properly cared for, so start looking at replacements when yours gets to ten years old. If you don’t know when yours was installed, you can find out by checking the serial number. The exact method depends on what manufacturer made your water heater, so check online at their website to learn how old yours is.

Strange noises

Major appliances like your water heater always make a bit of noise when working. However, pops, cracks and other loud noises are signs of sediment that needs to be cleaned out. When sediment builds up in the tank and eventually solidifies at the bottom of the tank, air pockets in the sediment make noise by boiling along with the water. You can clean out the sediment with flushing, but if the noise continues, you should call us for a replacement, as your tank may be close to an internal failure. Also, don’t forget about the warning about sediment we mentioned under ‘Rusty and/or muddy water.’

Too little hot water

Sediment can do more than damage your tank. It can also block off the heating element from the water, preventing it from heating your water. This forces the heating element to work harder to heat your tank, costing you more money and wearing out your heating element. Eventually, this can eat away at the inside of the tank and cause a leak. Annual tank flushing can keep this issue at bay. Also, getting a water softener can help prevent the minerals that damage your tank.

Why trust McHale’s with my plumbing’s health?

McHales, Inc. is a client-focused plumbing and electrical company that strives to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. John Sr. and Anna May McHale started the family business in 1950. Since that time we’ve provided our customers with prompt, dependable service at a reasonable cost. We use quality materials installed by skilled, courteous craftsmen. Now we are into our Third Generation in the business and we are still following John Sr.’s very simple philosophy ” We do what we say we’re going to do!”. That philosophy is still the backbone of the company today. Call McHale’s, Inc. today to learn more about our water heater replacement services!

By McHales