How do I know my hot water needs replacing?

Is your hot water system struggling to keep up, or showing signs of trouble? Proactive hot water replacement can save you from the hassle of sudden cold showers and potential water damage. Knowing when to change your water heater is key.

While hot water systems have a lifespan (and knowing how long hot water systems last is important!), there are telltale signs that indicate your system might be nearing the end of its life. Stay ahead of the game by learning these key signs and exploring your options for hot water replacement before a system breakdown leaves you in the cold!

How To Tell Whether Your Hot Water System Needs a Replacement

Age of Your Hot Water Unit

Knowing the age of your hot water system is a crucial first step in determining if you may need to replace it soon. Start by determining how old it is by checking for manufacturing or installation dates on the system itself.

The average life expectancy of a hot water system typically ranges between 8 and 20 years, with factors like system type and maintenance influencing its lifespan. Here's a general guideline:

• Gas system: 8-12 years
• Electric system: 10-15 years
• Solar system: 10 years
• Heat pumps: 15 years
• Continuous flow systems: 20 years

If your system is approaching or exceeding its expected lifespan, even if it seems to be working fine, it's wise to start planning for a replacement. Proactive action prevents unexpected breakdowns and allows you to explore energy efficient upgrade options.

If Your Tank is Leaking

If your tank is leaking, act fast! Whether it's a small leak or water pooling around your hot water unit, it's a sign of trouble. Leaks can worsen quickly, leading to costly water damage, potential flooding, and even system failure. 

Carefully inspect the tank and its connections to pinpoint where the leak is coming from. Common leak sources include the tank itself (where rust or corrosion could signal that your tank is failing), worn-out valves, or loose fittings and degraded seals on pipe connections. 

While a small leak might seem manageable, it's crucial to call a qualified plumber to assess the situation. Even minor leaks can signal larger problems or become hazardous. Additionally, mould and mildew can thrive in damp conditions created by a leak, posing health risks.

Water Temperature is Lukewarm or Cold

If your hot water is consistently lukewarm or cold, it's a clear indication that there's a problem with your water heater, and a replacement could be necessary. This issue often stems from trouble with the heating element, which is the component that actually warms the water in your tank.

This can happen for a couple of reasons. Perhaps your overall hot water usage has increased over time due to more people living at home and the addition of appliances that use hot water, etc. When your water heater simply cannot keep up with the demand, the water temperature will naturally suffer.

Additionally, like any part of an appliance, heating elements wear out over time due to age or complications such as mineral buildup from hard water. When this happens, you may need to look into replacing your water heater with a model that has a larger capacity or one that's better suited to your current needs.

Rust and Corrosion Inside Your Tank

Rust coloured water coming from your hot water system is a major red flag. It's a telltale sign of extensive rust and corrosion inside your water heater tank, and unfortunately, it means your tank has reached the end of its usable life. Rust compromises the structural integrity of the tank, making leaks (or worse, a burst tank) a serious risk.

Additionally, if you notice bad odours coming from your taps, particularly your hot water taps, this could also indicate rust or the presence of bacteria inside the tank. Replacing your water heater is the only way to resolve these issues and ensure you have access to safe, clean hot water.

Noises Coming From Your Tank

Strange noises emanating from your hot water tank should never be ignored. Here's why:

Rumbling, Popping, or Banging: These noises are often caused by sediment buildup at the bottom of your tank. As the heating element works, water bubbles trapped under the sediment can burst, creating these loud sounds. While a thorough flushing of the tank may temporarily help, sediment buildup is a recurring issue in areas with hard water and often signifies that the heater itself is nearing the end of its lifespan.

Hissing or Sizzling: These sounds can signal a leak somewhere in the tank or its fittings. Leaks should be treated urgently, as they can worsen, compromise the hot water system, and potentially lead to water damage.

If you hear persistent noises coming from your hot water tank, it's wise to call a professional plumber like the team at MPM Plumbing. They can diagnose the root of the problem and recommend the best course of action, which in some cases might be replacing the system.

Drain Valve is Faulty

A leaking drain valve, located at the bottom of your hot water tank, is another sign that there could be a serious problem with your water heater. While a minor drip might be resolved by tightening the valve or replacing a worn-out seal, there are a few key reasons a faulty drain valve might point to the need for system replacement:

Sediment Buildup: Hard water causes mineral deposits to accumulate within the tank, sometimes blocking the drain valve entirely. This can restrict proper drainage or make it impossible to fully open or close the valve, hindering essential maintenance tasks.

Corrosion: Over time, the drain valve itself can corrode, leading to stubborn leaks. Rust or corrosion on the valve body often signals that the tank itself may also be internally compromised.

Whilst our plumbers may be able to replace a faulty drain valve, if it's accompanied by sediment issues or overall corrosion, it might be time to consider a new water heater altogether.

Reduced Efficiency & Increase in Power Bills

If you're noticing a steady decline in the performance of your hot water heater and your energy bills are taking a concerning increase, it's a strong indication that a replacement might be necessary.

As your water heater ages, it naturally becomes less effective, requiring more energy to heat the same amount of water, which leads to those higher bills. Additionally, failing components like heating elements, internal corrosion, or heavy sediment buildup in the tank can all seriously reduce efficiency. Your water heater will struggle to perform and work harder to compensate, driving up your energy consumption. While minor repairs can sometimes slightly improve efficiency, if your bills are spiking alongside other signs of trouble, replacing the water heater with a newer, more efficient model is often the most cost effective long term solution.

Breakdowns & Needs Frequent Repairs

Recurring breakdowns and the constant need for repairs are frustrating and can quickly add up in terms of cost. If your water heater is experiencing frequent problems, it's likely nearing the end of its useful life. Multiple worn out components and failing parts are clear indicators that the entire system is on the decline. Instead of sinking more money into repeated repairs, replacing your water heater might be the most sensible choice. A new water heater will offer both peace of mind and lower energy bills in the long run.

Our Hot Water Plumbing Experts Can Help!

If you have any questions about information in this article or about hot water systems in general, please call our friendly MPM Plumbing team on 0434 022 483 or complete our online enquiry form.