It’s never fun saying good-bye to a Water Heater Wayland .  Not that it’s your friend or anything…on second thought, who or what else can you count on for hot water on demand, no matter what the reason?

Still, just as friends move away or you simply grow apart, water heaters have a shelf life of about 10-12 years.  After that, they have nothing left to give.

Has the time come for you and your water heater to part company?  Possibly so if you notice any of these symptoms:

1. The water temperature isn’t hot enough.  First, try raising the thermostat. If that doesn’t work, give us a call so we can see what’s going on.  If it’s just a faulty thermostat, your water heater still has more to give.  If it’s not the thermostat…well, you know.
2. Rust-colored water.  Many Boston area homes have water quality issues, the kind that can impact the internal workings of your water heater. If sufficient scale and mineral deposits build up inside the tank, you’ll probably start to see rust-colored hot water.  And that will probably necessitate replacing the unit.    
3. Puddles on the Floor.  If you find water stains or puddles of water around the base of the system, water is obviously leaking from somewhere.  Maybe it’s just a valve that needs to be tightened.  Or, water could be leaking from internal tank corrosion…another reason to replace it.
4. Age of your system.  Not sure when your water heater was installed.  You can either refer to the owner’s manual or company the model name and serial number for the metal plate on the tank and call the manufacturer. Should you discover that it’s at least 10 years old, it might be a good idea to replace it now before you later have no choice.
5. Strange noises. Banging, knocking, or any other strange noises are caused by a build-up of sediment inside the tank. Try replacing the anode rod which protrudes from the top of the tank…if the noises stop, you’ve bought more time. But you still should flush and refill the tank to get rid of built-up sediments that caused the anode rod to break off in the first place.

Maybe all your water heater needs is a simple adjustment, new thermostat, or to have its tank flushed. Still, if it’s not performing like it used to, contact PC Plumbing, Heating, AC & Remodeling today to schedule service.  We’re here to provide your family with the steady and reliable supply of hot water you need, no matter what that might take.