What Things to Do When Your Water Heater is Rusty on Its Base

Your water heater performs best with consistent maintenance from an expert plumber. This annual service gives you the chance to respond quickly and take care of potential problems. One such issue is a rusty bottom on tank water heaters.

Rust can appear in several places on your water heater and can be the result of leaky connections. But rust on the bottom of your water heater’s tank might be evidence of a more complex problem. We recommend calling a professional like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to find out if the tank’s interior liner has degraded. This appears after the anode rod fails. When functioning normally, the anode rod pushes out impurities from the water.

When your tank has rusted, it’s time to schedule water heater replacement. Otherwise, you risk having your home flooded with gallons of water when the tank breaks.

Here are a small number of other signs that your water heater is beginning to fail.

4 Clues You Should Schedule Water Heater Replacement

While your water heater can’t tell you exactly when it’s going to fail, these are obvious signs that it’s about to happen.

1. Age

A dependable water heater usually survives for around 10 years. If yours is near this age or older, it’s a smart idea to look into replacing it even if it’s still in decent shape. That way, you can avoid not having hot water or a mess if the tank leaks.

2. Rusty Water

This is evidence that your water heater’s tank is corroding. Your water could taste odd or stain your clothes when you wash them. While rust isn’t necessarily harmful, it affects your water quality and may also stain your bathroom fixtures.

3. Reduced Hot Water

Your water heater should produce enough hot water, even if you’re showering and washing clothes at the same time. If you discover yours is struggling even with infrequent use, it’s time to get an upgrade.

4. Strange Sounds

When your water heater’s anode rod fails, sediment appears in the tank. As a result, your water heater must work harder to heat water. This can result in banging or knocking sounds, as well as larger energy bills.

Tankless Water Heaters vs. Tank? What’s Best for My House?

Our well-trained plumbers will recommend what’s best for your specific needs and your home. When thinking about hot water heater replacement, they’ll help you choose between tankless water heaters and tank models. Here are some of the key differences.

Tank Water Heaters

Tank water heaters are the most common type. They have a dedicated supply of hot water, which is useful for heavy or frequent use. While these water heaters are the most affordable, they have some downsides. They are big and constantly heating water, which is less energy efficient. And with a life span of about 12 years, they must be replaced much sooner than a tankless model.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are preferred for their energy efficiency since they heat water on demand. Because they don’t have a tank, they can be hidden in smaller spaces, like under your sink or in a closet. As an added bonus, they generally last twice as long as a tank model. However, it’s good to note they’re often more expensive than tank models. But this cost can be balanced with rebates since quite a few models are ENERGY STAR® rated.

Trust Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for Outstanding Water Heater Replacement

Hot water heater replacement cost isn’t cheap. In fact, putting in a new heater can cost several thousand dollars, particularly if you want a tankless model.

That’s why we offer an Advantage Program™ for your water heater. For one low monthly cost, you’ll get a brand new one installed at no surprise cost. There’s no down payment or large initial expense, and you’ll get to keep any applicable rebates.

As a valued member, you’ll have access to 24/7 emergency service at no charge. Diagnostic, parts and labour fees are waived as well.* You’ll even have the option to replace your water heater tank size or style based on your family’s growing needs.**

To learn more about our process for water heater replacement in Canada, give us a call at today. Our Experts are willing to help however we can.

*See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. **New monthly rate will apply.