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Most water heaters give you warning before they quit. The trouble is the warnings are easy to explain away, and the failure usually arrives on the coldest morning of the year. Here is what we look at when a homeowner in Jefferson County calls us about a tank that is acting up.
How old is it, really?
A standard tank water heater lasts about eight to twelve years. If you do not know the age, the serial number on the manufacturer label usually encodes it. We can read it for you in about a minute on site.
Age on its own is not a reason to replace a working heater. It does change the math on a repair. Putting a few hundred dollars into an eleven year old tank is usually money you spend twice.
The four warnings worth calling about
Rusty or brown hot water
If the hot side runs discolored and the cold side is clear, the tank lining is likely failing. That is not something a repair fixes.
Popping or rumbling
Sediment builds up on the bottom of the tank and the burner has to fire through it. The noise is steam escaping the sediment layer. Caught early, a flush helps. Left alone, it cooks the bottom of the tank.
Water around the base
Check the fittings first, because a weeping connection is a cheap fix. If the moisture is coming from the tank body itself, the tank is done.
Hot water that runs out faster than it used to
Often sediment taking up space that used to hold water. Sometimes a failed dip tube. Both are worth looking at before you size up to a bigger unit you may not need.
Repair or replace
We will tell you straight. If the tank is young and the failure is a part, we repair it. If the tank is near the end and the repair is significant, we say so and quote both options so you can decide. You get the price before we start either way.
What we do on the call
We check the age, test the elements or burner, look at the anode rod, inspect the connections and the relief valve, and check that the venting is safe. Then we give you a flat rate for the work in front of you.
