Halfway into your morning shower and the water is cold? Unusual sounds emanating from the utility closet? A puddle at the foot of the water heater that seems to have put down roots?
Homeowners in Volusia and Flagler Counties are wont to ask us these things at Andy’s Plumbing. We have been a family business since 2000, and our licensed, insured staff has put homeowners in Ormond Beach, Port Orange, Daytona Beach, Palm Coast and other parts of the area in a position to make the right call on whether to put in a new water heater or repair the one they have. For an unvarnished answer, you can reach us at 386-384-9040.
For the most part, a water heater will put up some warning before it gives out entirely; one just has to be in the know. We have outlined the telltale signs below.
Your Water Heater Has Seen Better Days
When it comes to replacement, age is a major consideration. You will get 8 to 12 years out of a conventional tank unit as a rule. Should yours be edging past ten, we would advise you to monitor it. The serial number on the maker’s label will give you the month and year of manufacture if you are in doubt of its vintage. If not, a visit from one of our technicians will see to it.
Rust in the Water
What comes from the tap ought to be clear. Rusty or brownish water, hot side in particular, is cause for concern. It could be any number of things:
- An anode rod that has failed to do its job of shielding the metal
- Corrosion in the tank
- Sediment making its way into the water
- Pipes attached to the heater rusting
- A tank that has run its course
There is no putting back what rust has done to a steel tank, so in the long run replacing it is the wiser move.
The Tank Is Making Noise
Some noise is to be expected. Loud banging or rumbling, however, is indicative of sediment that has made itself at home on the bottom of the tank. When the water is being heated the hardened sediment puts up a fight and the heater has to put in more work. That means more energy consumed and a shorter life for the unit. A flush of the tank may suffice at first, but if the noise does not abate, a new one is in order.
Water at the Base of the Unit
Standing water is a plain indication of a problem. A minor leak has a way of getting worse in short order and a tank can put off dozens of gallons on the floor when it fails.
Then again, do not jump to conclusions. What appears to be a leak might be condensation or a connection that has come loose. Let a professional such as one of our licensed men have a look and he will tell you where the water is coming from.
You Are Not Getting Your Hot Water
Be it sediment, a heating element on the fritz or a tank too small for the family, the heater is having trouble if the hot water does not last like it did or you cannot get enough of it. Upgrading to a unit of the right size is a better investment once the repairs are no longer meeting your needs.
Energy Costs Are Up
Efficiency wanes with an old or clogged water heater. Should your bills be on the rise and you have not altered your ways, the water heater is likely to blame. A model with better efficiency will put those numbers in check.
Why Call Andy’s Plumbing
It is not always easy to know to repair or to replace, which is where we step in. Our certified and licensed technicians will put your unit through its paces and lay out your options for you in terms anyone can understand, all underwritten by a 100% satisfaction guarantee and our warranty. We provide free estimates, have a Membership Program, extend a discount to veterans and first responders and can arrange financing via HCP/Wisetack.
We serve the homeowner and the business alike in Volusia and Flagler Counties, Monday to Friday from 7:30 until 6. Do not put it off until the floor is flooded or the shower is ice cold. Give Andy’s Plumbing a ring at 386-384-9040 and let us put our family to work for yours.
