Hot water tanks are one of the most important components of any home. They keep your indoor space warm and comfortable by providing hot water for bathing and other household tasks such as laundry, dishwashing and bathing. If your existing hot water tank isn’t working as it should, it can be a major inconvenience. With so much that goes into running a household, many people forget that hot water tanks also require maintenance and can break down from time to time. If you’ve been experiencing any of these signs, you should probably get a new hot water tank installed as soon as possible:

It’s taking too long to heat up.

Hot water tanks contain a large amount of water and a lot of thermal mass, which is why they take so long to come to a boil. However, if your water isn’t heating up quickly, it could mean that the pressure in the tank isn’t high enough. If this is the case, it’s best to contact a plumber as soon as possible to have the tank drained and checked out. If the tank needs replacing, you can either replace it with a new tank or have the old one removed and a new one installed.

The water isn’t getting as hot as it used to.

If you’re noticing that the water coming out of your hot water tank isn’t as hot as it used to be, it could be a sign that the tank needs to be replaced. If the pressure in the tank is too low, it won’t be able to produce as much heat and the water will be noticeably cooler. If this happens, you should contact a plumber as soon as possible to have the tank drained and replaced. If the tank is old and in poor condition, it may even be wise to replace it before it has a chance to break down completely.

The faucets feel really cold when you turn them on.

If the water coming out of your faucets feels cold when you turn them on, it could mean that the water in your house is too cold, and your hot water tank is not working correctly. If this is the case, it could be a sign that you need a new water heater. If you have an electric water heater, you may also want to have a professional check the temperature regulator, which could be malfunctioning and not allowing the water to get hot enough.

Your water bill is high.

If your water bill is significantly higher than it used to be, it could be a sign that you need a new hot water tank. The biggest culprit when it comes to high water bills is leaking faucets. If you have faucets that drip, you’re losing a lot of water that is going down the drain untreated and straight into the water table. Depending on the number of faucets that are leaking, you could be looking at a significant increase in your water bill.

It’s leaking water into the house.

While you should never have to deal with a significant amount of leaking water in your home, it’s an unfortunate reality for many homeowners. If you’re dealing with some serious water damage, it could be a sign that your hot water tank needs replacing. If the tank is old and in poor condition, it may be more susceptible to leaking, which can be damaging to your house. If you notice a significant amount of leaking water, you should contact a plumber as soon as possible to have the tank drained and replaced.

Conclusion

The hot water tank is an important part of any home that is used to provide hot water for bathing and other household tasks. They are required in all new construction and must be installed in old or existing buildings. If yours isn’t working as it should, it can be a major inconvenience and may even be dangerous. If you experience any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above, you should get a new hot water tank installed as soon as possible.Contact us for a free quote!

Frequently Asked Question

While you technically can install a hot water heater yourself as a homeowner, the likelihood that this is a good or safe idea is very slim. Trust the professionals with your hot water heater installation to make sure it's done correctly. You wouldn't want to cause yourself or your family any harm.
The higher cost is a result of a more labor-intensive set-up, as new gas and water lines are required for installation. For a new tankless water heater, new electric wiring will need to be installed.
Turn off all water supplies in the house. Turn on all the hot water faucets in the house in order to drain what is left in the existing hot water heater. Then, disconnect the water line that connects the water heater to the rest of the house. There is often a connection on a hose that you can simply unscrew.
  • Your older water heater is getting up there in age
  • It's making strange noises
  • You're getting rusty water out of the tap
  • Your hot water doesn't last as long as it used to
  • There are water puddles around the unit
120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting. Most experts agree that anything below 120 degrees creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater from stagnant water, such as legionella that causes Legionnaire's disease.
These heaters can be fueled by electricity, gas, or liquid propane and installed in many areas of your home. The national average cost to replace a 50-gallon hot water heater is $1,100 to $2,800, with most people paying around $1,800 for a direct replacement of a 50-gallon gas hot water heater using the same model.
  • Your older water heater is getting up there in age
  • It's making strange noises
  • You're getting rusty water out of the tap
  • Your hot water doesn't last as long as it used to
  • There are water puddles around the unit
These heaters can be fueled by electricity, gas, or liquid propane and installed in many areas of your home. The national average cost to replace a 50-gallon water heater is $1,100 to $2,800, with most people paying around $1,800 for a direct replacement of a 50-gallon gas hot water heater using the same model.
Turn up the thermostat on the hot water heater. One of the easiest ways to make a hot shower last longer is by using less hot water while it's at a higher temperature. To do this, turn up the temperature on the thermostat that's attached to the hot water heater tank. (Not the thermostat on the wall.)