Almost all of us in New York depend on our home’s water boiler daily. But our beloved heaters will not last forever! With all the work a water heater does, it will eventually wear down to the point where it’s too expensive to keep repairing and the better choice will be to get a new water boiler installed. As professional water boiler installation and repair specialists, we recommend a new system installed every six to ten years.
Here are the top 7 signs that your water heater is on its way out. If you see them, call us for water boiler service in Long Island, New York.
#1. Age
The best way to measure when your water boiler is getting near to replacement is its age. There is a simple way to check this. You can check this by looking for the manufacturer’s date on the exterior of the unit. If you have a standard gas-powered tank water heater, you can expect a service life between 6 to 10 years. Electric water heaters and tankless water heaters can sometimes last to 20. Of course, there are no guarantees, but these are generally what we see boilers last to on Long Island. If your boiler is at or over its service life estimate, now is a good time to consider getting a new one.
#2. Noisy operation
Your heater should not make much noise as it runs. If you notice that it is getting noisier than in years past, this is a troubling sign. When the water heater begins making a racket (rattling, banging, rumbling) as it runs, it needs professional attention right away. And again, back to sign #1. If it’s nearing its age expiration, it’s probably best to replace it.
#3. Rusty discoloration in the hot water
This is a cool trick we like to share with our clients. If you turn on a hot water tap and see the water has rusty discoloration, then it is probably time to replace it. If the discoloration doesn’t quickly go away (indicating dirt in the pipes), it probably means that the water heater’s tank has rusted through. There’s no coming back from rust —this is a definite sign that the water boiler needs to be replaced.
#4. High energy bills
This is valuable information. The water boiler uses more energy than almost any other indoor appliance in your home. So, when it starts to decline in energy efficiency, it will cause a noticeable rise in your energy bill. Keep a watch on those utility bills and plan a replacement when the bills start getting noticeably more expensive. If you are unsure if your bill is increasing due to your boiler or simply New York prices skyrocketing- give your local plumbing company in Long Island a call.
#5. Visible leaking
We get a handful of calls each season for leaking boilers. The only place where you should see water dripping from your water boiler is its pressure relief valve. If you notice water leaking down the sides of the tank or pooling around the base, call for a professional look right away. If the leaks are extensive enough because of corrosion and/or aging, it is recommended you replace the boiler immediately.
#6. Visible corrosion
When corrosion starts to appear on a water heater, it usually means it’s finished. Corrosion in some places, like the heat exchanger, can be corrected by replacing the corroded component. In most cases, however, corrosion means it’s time to send the old boiler to the recycling yard. When you are ready to install a new boiler, we will take the old one and safely dispose of it for you.
#7. Loss of hot water volume
Is it a competition in your home to see who can get to the showers first before the hot water runs out? If this hasn’t been an issue before, it’s a major warning that the water heater is losing its heating capacity because of advanced age. But this loss of hot water volume is a sign that your boiler is not performing at full capacity and may need to be replaced soon.
For residential boiler repair or installation in Long Island, New York, call the pros at Arco Plumbing Group. We are fast, friendly, and professional plumbers to handle all your boiler and emergency service needs. Give Arco Plumbing Group a call now.
