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Picture this: it’s been a long day at work. You’re tired of the daily grind and can’t wait to get back home. You pull into your driveway and step into your home; you just can’t wait to take a nice hot shower to wash off the stress of the day.
You step into your shower, run the water, and … oh no! Your water just isn’t getting hot.
If so, then your water heater may be going out.
In this article, we’ll teach you the principal signs your water heater is going out so that you can keep ahead of any plumbing issues in your house so that you aren’t faced with the above scenario.
In This Post:
1. Rust Particles in the Water
One of the most common signs of a failing water heater is a collection of rust particles in the hot water that comes out of the faucet.
This indicates that the metal either in the pipes or in the water heater itself is rusting. The rust flakes off as the water corrodes the metal and finds its way into your shower or sink.
Not only are these rust particles unhealthy for your skin, but they are also indicative that a leak is about to happen. The more rust there is, the greater the chances that the water will begin to find its way through the metal walling of the pipes and water heater and start collecting around it. This can have disastrous consequences for your house, causing mold growth and other water damage.
2. Rumbling Noises or Other Strange Sounds
Another common sign of impending water heater failure is an assortment of strange rumbling noises coming from your heater. These noises are usually caused by a buildup of sediment in your water heater.
Remember that water is almost never completely pure. It will typically always have some microscope amount of suspended particles in it. Over time, these particles are deposited on your water heater’s metal walling. This results in the noises that you hear as water flows over the heater. In addition, your heater becomes less efficient as it has to work harder to warm up the sediment first so that it can transmit heat to the water.
3. Insufficient Hot Water and Failing Burner
Last but not least, the most obvious of all water heater failure sins is insufficient hot water. If your water isn’t getting as hot as you typically have it, or if it doesn’t last as long as it usually does, then check your burner.
The flame should be blue-hot; if it’s yellow or orange, it’s time to call in a local repair option as your burner isn’t operating at the temperatures it should be.
Don’t Forget These Signs Your Water Heater is Going Out
There you have it — by knowing these signs your water heater is going out, you’ll be able to get ahead of water heater failure and ensure that your house is never without hot water. Be sure to get in touch with a professional if you spot these in your home.
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