Among the many features of our home’s water system is its capability to heat water to a higher temperature. Hot water isn’t a luxury but an essential for proper hygiene and cleanliness. Thus, keeping tabs on the condition of your water heater is vital to avoiding a disruption in your home’s everyday living conditions.

At R.A. Dobson, we are dedicated to maintaining and sustaining the integrity of our clients’ HVAC and plumbing systems through our expertise and thorough work ethic. Our team is highly-trained in each of our many services to provide a high-quality experience. Our services include essential plumbing maintenance, heating and cooling repairs, efficient water heater installation, and more. For over 40 years, we have helped thousands of residents throughout Sterling and Northern Virginia keep their homes warm, cool, and comfy. 

Here are 3 signs that indicate your water heater needs a replacement: 

Decade(s) Since Manufacturing Date

Find out the date of when your current water heater was first manufactured. The date is usually somewhere on a tank, typically on a label sticking to the side. However, even if you do find the label, it can be difficult to read, but there are water heater information resources available that can help you get a grasp on how to read them.

Even with the water heater’s manufacturing date in hand, how long after does it need to be replaced? 

Well, that depends on the type of water heater you have. Commonly, most homes have electric water heaters, which will last around 10 to 15 years, while some tankless water heaters will last for 20 or more.

In any case, we suggest that you consider getting a replacement after your current water heater exceeds its average life span, or at least have it checked and maintained by a professional to ensure that your home continues to have safe and running hot water.  

Water Leaking From The Tank

A sure sign of disrepair in your water heater is water leaking from the tank. The first thing to do is to check if any fittings, connections, or the temperature/pressure overflow pipe is leaking. If so, that means you’ll just need a professional to replace a component and not the entire tank.

However, if you notice that there’s moisture or even puddles of water around the bottom of the tank, and you’ve found that all other components are dry, that may mean your tank has sprung a leak. It will need to be replaced for it to work properly again.   

Rusty or Cloudy Running Water

When you turn on your faucet and see that the water pouring out is rust-colored or cloudy, there is a big chance that there’s something wrong with your water heater. There are one of two possible problems occurring within it: 

• The sacrificial anode is used to attract particles of metal and sediment within the tank and to oxidize in place of the tank itself. Rust-colored or metallic-smelling water can mean that the anode has rusted over and needs to be replaced.
• The inner lining of the tank itself has been corroded with rust, making it totally unusable and must be replaced immediately. 

R.A. Dobson: Expert Water Heater Installation in Sterling, VA

Looking out for these issues in your water heater provides you with a good benchmark for when you should have it replaced. However, you’ll need a professional to provide a fresh replacement, as well as an affordable water heater installation. At R.A. Dobson, our technicians are among the best and most-experienced in the Sterling, VA and Northern Virginia area. We offer numerous choices in high-quality HVAC units and plumbing appliances, as well as expert repair and maintenance services. Contact us today at (703) 481-3700 and talk to one of  our qualified technicians today.