Having Water Heater Troubles? Clues You Should Not Neglect

Lukewarm water, rumbling noises, rusty water, leaks and age beyond about ten years are clues your water heater needs attention. Catch them early, before a failed tank floods your basement.

The appliance nobody thinks about

Your water heater runs every day and gets no attention until the shower turns cold. In Upstate New York and Vermont, incoming water is very cold in winter, so the heater works harder to bring it up to temperature. Many rural homes also rely on well water with minerals that leave scale inside the tank. Both factors shorten the life of a tank and are worth keeping in mind as you read the clues below.

Clue 1: Not enough hot water

If showers go cold sooner than they used to, a failed heating element, a burner or thermocouple problem, or sediment buildup may be the cause. Sediment settles at the bottom and takes up room that hot water used to occupy, so the usable supply shrinks. Sometimes the answer is a simple repair; in an old tank, it can be a sign the end is near.

Clue 2: Strange noises

Popping, rumbling or banging usually means sediment is hardening at the bottom of the tank, where the burner or element has to heat water through a layer of scale. It wastes energy and eventually damages the tank. Flushing can help early on, but a heavily scaled older tank may be past saving, and flushing it can even trigger leaks.

Clue 3: Rusty or smelly water

Rust-colored hot water, with cold water running clear, points to the tank corroding from inside or an anode rod that has been used up. A rotten egg smell often comes from bacteria reacting with the anode rod. Both are good reasons to have the unit inspected before the corrosion reaches the steel wall of the tank.

Clue 4: Leaks and moisture

Water around the base is the clue you cannot ignore. Check the fittings and the temperature and pressure relief valve first. If the tank itself is leaking, it cannot be repaired. Read what to do about water heater leaks for the step-by-step.

Clue 5: Age

As a rule of thumb, tank water heaters last roughly 8 to 12 years. Look for the manufacture date on the label, which is usually in the serial number. If yours is near or past that range and showing any of the clues above, plan for replacement rather than repeated repairs. Replacing on your schedule is far better than replacing at 2 a.m. with water on the floor.

Repair, replace or upgrade

Superior CO-OP HVAC repairs and maintains all brands of water heaters; a tune-up starts at $198.89 and a written quote comes before any repair work. When replacing, RUUD offers tank, tankless and hybrid heat pump water heaters; see our water heater page. Call the office at (518) 719-5614, or book at any hour on the 24/7 line at (518) 333-7431. Our maintenance programs keep your water heater on a regular service schedule.

Considering a heat pump water heater?

If your tank is near the end of its life, a hybrid heat pump water heater is worth a look. It moves heat from surrounding air into the water instead of generating all of it, which can use less electricity than a standard electric tank. It does best in a basement or utility room with some open space, and it cools and dehumidifies the room slightly, which many Upstate basements can use.

Gas, propane and oil households can also choose tankless or high-efficiency tank models from RUUD. We confirm the right fit at a free in-home estimate. See our water heater options.

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