Signs Your Hot Water System Needs to Be Replaced
We have all had that problem; we are in the shower and the hot water suddenly stops working, giving you a nasty shock. Or you are washing dishes in the sink, and the water coming out of the tap is an unusual brown colour. Checking the hot water system is rarely thought about until something fails, and if you are experiencing any of the below examples, it might be time for a replacement.
No hot water is running – at all
An obvious sign. No matter how long you seem to wait or how far you turn the tap, the water is not getting any warmer.
Water pressure is irregular
One minute it is dribbling and then flooding the next. The problem could be as simple as the home using too much water, but it could also be a sign of an antiquated system in need of an update.
The water coming out of the tap is discoloured
Hint – water any other colour than clear is not normal. Discolouration can be attributed to rusting within the pipes or inside the heater itself. This is a sign that the hot water system is about to start leaking.
There are strange noises when I turn the hot water on
Not a normal, or reassuring, sound to come from a heater. Hot water systems are silent by design, and if you hear rumbling or clanging noises when the water is turned on it needs to be checked. When sediment builds up inside the heater, it hardens, and the tank has to use more pressure to heat the water inside. This causes the noise and is a tell-tale sign of an ongoing problem.
There is a puddle around the hot water tank
Small cracks or fractures come with age, and if you suspect your system is leaking, dry the puddle and wait to see if another one appears. If it does, the system or the pipes need replacing.
Hot water is a necessary luxury often taken for granted; until it stops working. Sometimes the problem is a simple fix, like a broken pilot light or some leaky plumbing. Other times, it might just be time to get a new system in. If you are experiencing any of the above signs, calling a plumber is recommended before a small problem becomes any bigger.
