Hot water heaters are one of the most valuable modern conveniences for keeping a home clean and healthy. Instead of boiling water on the stove, (or taking a cold shower) we just turn on the faucet without another thought. And almost every time, your plumbing sends you water at the perfect temperature for bathing or cleaning. Except for the time that it doesn’t.
When your unit fails. The resulting water damage to your home could be substantial. Serenity Restoration wants to help you prevent water damage, and they are here for you to clean up and restore your home AFTER any water damage.
Even if you bought your house with a 30-year mortgage, don’t assume that your heater will last that long. Based on the manufacturer’s suggested service life, the life expectancy of a water heater is about eight to 12 years. So don’t ignore signs of trouble. Leaving a moisture problem for an extended amount of time can lead to costly repairs to the home: sheetrock, floors, walls, carpets. Lastly, even a slow leak can increase the utility bill. The additional energy and water needed to keep the tank hot are just wasteful.
Do regular inspections of the water heater, and the area around it, for clues that your unit is on its last leg. You should look for the following signs;
What else besides age can cause damage to your unit? Well, if the basement, attic, or utility closet where the unit is housed becomes flooded with water, it could damage the unit. The electrical components of a water heater are susceptible to power outages, surges, and lightning.
The three biggest indicators are dirty water, poor performance, and leaks.
Discolored hot water from the faucets could be from many causes: bacteria growth, pipe corrosion, or mineral deposits in the water supply. But first, suspect that your hot water heater is corroding. Murky, brown-colored water could indicate that you just need a flush, but if it turns dark again, it’s the machine’s age.
Hot water heaters have an anode rod inside of them designed to protect the metal lining inside your water heater tank. Over time, it breaks down and begins to rust or corrode. Then, this reaction can infuse the surrounding water.
If your unit can no longer handle a stressful day of showers, laundry, and dishes, it might be losing efficiency as it ages.
The last sign is any leaks at all. A few drops of water on the floor by your water heater may not seem like much, but the problem can easily escalate. It can leak at the connection, the drain valve, or even at a seam of the tank itself.
Most modern units hold between 40 and 80 gallons of water. So if the tank fails, it will flood the area around the unit. The water released will seep into floorboards and baseboards. Then it will get absorbed up into the sheetrock. When it gets behind walls it can warp the wooden studs, too.
Carpets are especially vulnerable to long-term exposure to water. While clean water that evaporates from the carpet within 48 hours generally causes no permanent damage, a leaking water heater provides a continual source of water that doesn’t dry. Water will break down the fibers, run it the subfloor, and create a home for mold.
Mold spores float into the air that we breathe. Some people are extra sensitive and exhibit allergic symptoms: sneezing, coughing, itching, and trouble breathing.
When your hot water heater gives out, it might flood your home with dirty water. You’ll need help with the water damage cleanup and restoration.
Insurance claims for water heater problems occur frequently; Serenity Restoration can help you with all the paperwork. Our water damage restoration team specializes in systematically restoring properties affected by water, fire, smoke, mold, and pathogens in Atlanta and the surrounding area.
