“The plumbing system in your home works best when regularly maintained.” You have heard this one so many times now that you almost know it by heart. The water heaters installed at your property, however, rarely ever receive that much attention unless they are malfunctioning all of a sudden. Usually, it sits there quietly for years on end, in a dark corner of your basement, without demanding much attention to itself.

All that changes one day when you wake up to a surprising splash of cold water as you stand under your shower waiting for the usual warm water. Nobody likes such surprises, and neither do you. So, to avoid facing such an episode, it is advised that you watch out for any signs of your heater developing issues.  Besides, you should acquire the service of a plumber in the Sugar Land, TX area to regularly have a look at your water heater to ensure that everything’s fine and that it’s adequately maintained.

You should be extra observant if your heater is old, as usually, most water heaters last 10 years before they have to be replaced. Below are some of the signs that you should keep an eye out for.

Inconsistent Water Temperature

In the middle of a comfortably warm bath on a cold winter morning, you’re hit with a burst of cold water out of nowhere, and the hot water tap begins gushing out cold water. You’re forced to step out of the shower at once. What’s more, this was not even the first such occurrence this week, either.

If these unpleasant surprises have hit you in quick succession and they are becoming a common occurrence, your heater is probably a goner, and it’s time to replace it. However, you can’t be sure yourself unless you get a plumber to look at it. The plumber will be able to assess the cause of the problem.

A professional will be able to ascertain whether it is a busted gas thermocouple or a heating element that is malfunctioning. So get a professional to look at your malfunctioning heater. Once that’s settled, the plumber will be able to suggest the correct course of action that needs to be taken.

The Water Is Not Hot Enough

You may start to notice that there has been a change in the water temperature; it is not the kind of warm that it was before. Although personal preferences may vary on this one, the ideal warm water temperature is somewhere between 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for most people. Therefore, if you can gauge a change in the water temperature or believe that is not as hot as it used to be, it could very well be the result of the malfunctioning of the heating element. This should prompt you to acquire the services of a professional right away. The plumber will guide you as to whether you should replace it or not.

When It’s Making Noises

Be wary of the weird sounds coming from your heater as a heater that is malfunctioning or nearing its end is known to get noisy. What you suspected to be some supernatural phenomenon or the malfunctioning old pipes inside the wall may just be the poor old water heater crying for attention, or a possible replacement. As the sediment builds up within an old water heater’s tank, it can lead to such noises. When the sediment comes in contact with the heating element, it creates the noise as the sediment is burned away.

In the case of a gas-powered heater, sediment build-up will lead to the creation of hot spots that will cause damage to the entire tank and will lead to the total failure of the heater as a result.

If, however, it is not the sediment build up that is causing all the noises, it could most likely be the heater that is burning itself out. Whatever the case is, you should get a professional plumber to look at the issues and devise the correct course of action – which will most likely be a replacement.

Leaks

Leaks are quite indicative of issues with your heater. In most cases, there could be streams of water running through the tank into the drain or puddles of water forming around the tank. These will indicate obvious issues with the heater. However, there may also be times when it’s not that obvious. Therefore, it is important that you keep an attentive eye around the fixtures and fittings for any signs of leaks or puddles of water forming.

It is doubly important to do so as not only will this alert you of your water heater malfunctioning, but will also save you from the water damage that could be caused by the unattended leakage. You should acquire the services of a professional to look into any of the leaks that you come across.

It’s Getting Old

Most water heaters will last you an average of 10 years. Once they’ve crossed that 10 year mark, you’re now in risky waters. You should now be more vigilant and keep an eye out for any signs of malfunctioning. Acquire the services of a professional in the Sugar Land, TX area to look into your aging water heater every now and then. The right plumber will also be able to guide you with regards to whether you should replace it right away or wait it out.

Rusty Water

Rusty water coming out of the hot water taps is another obvious sign that should indicate that something is wrong with your heater. This should prompt you to acquire the services of a professional who’ll be able to guide you on whether it’s time for a repair or whether your situation calls for a replacement.

All in all, keep a watchful eye out for all the above signs that will indicate that you need to acquire the services of professional in Sugar Land, TX. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® of Rosenberg with its 24/7 emergency services, and a long list of satisfied customers, is definitely that plumber in the Sugar Land, TX area that you’re looking for.If you’ve ever experienced any of the aforementioned issues with your heater or require any other plumbing assistance, try our impeccable plumbing services.