If you have a traditional gas or electric water heater in your home, you likely rely on it every day to bathe, wash dishes, and clean clothes. Unfortunately, if you're not having your water heater serviced and inspected at least once a year, you could be at a greater risk of needing water heater repairs down the road. Specifically, there are a few signs you'll want to be on the lookout for that could indicate the need for professional water heater service.
1. Odd Color to Water
Any time you begin to notice a strange color infiltrating your water supply, it's important to contact a plumber to take a look at your water heater. This is especially true if you notice a rust color in your water or an overall cloudy water supply. Often times, this is a sign that your water heater tank needs to be flushed or that the inside of your tank is beginning to rust (which will eventually lead to a leak if not repaired).
2. Water Takes Too Long to Heat
Does it seem like your water takes forever to heat up when you go to take your daily shower or wash your dishes? If so, then you'll want to contact your local plumber or water heater repair technician, as this is often a sign that a heating component is in need of repair or replacement. A small delay in getting a warm water supply may not seem like a big deal now, but it's better to have it repaired sooner rather than later.
3. Not Enough Warm Water
If you simply never seem to have enough warm water in your home for everybody in your family to shower in the morning (or to run appliances, such as dish washers and clothes washers), then you may either need major appliance repair or total replacement of your water heater. It's possible that your water heater tank simply isn't large enough to hold enough water to accommodate everybody in your household, but you could also have a damaged heating element.
4. Your Water Tank is Leaking
Finally, if you ever notice water coming from your water heater tank--whether it be a small trickle or a large puddle--it's time to call a professional to diagnose the problem. Small cracks can sometimes be repaired, but for larger cracks or those located at the bottom of the tank due to corrosion, it may be necessary to completely replace the tank.
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