When Boiler Repair is No Longer Enough

The water heater is integral to a household’s comings and goings. From showers to cleaning, we depend on consistent access to hot water. As such, keeping the water heater maintained and functioning smoothly should be a priority. Unfortunately, even with constant care, there will come a time when you’ll need to replace the unit altogether. When do you stop mending and start replacing? Here are some signs to indicate that it’s time to retire your old unit.

A leaking tank

Your average water heater holds 40-80 gallons of water at any given time, and it’s a bad idea to risk an accident once you notice the main tank is springing some leaks. This means that the rubber lining is already worn away, and it’s probably time to spring for a new unit. The constant pressure that builds with all that hot water is just a disaster waiting to happen!

A lingering stink

All water heaters have an anode rod that leeches ions which cause rust—which, as you’d imagine, is quite important to a machine that processes water. The anode rod essentially takes the corrosion that’s meant for the rest of the device onto itself. While the rods are replaceable, the rest of the machine will get corroded more and more over time, resulting in a distinct smell that’s a definite sign that replacing the anode rod isn’t doing the trick anymore.

Something wrong with the water

This one should be a no-brainer—if the water has a definite odor, or if it’s brackish, or if the water takes too long to heat up, there might be something wrong that a quick fix can’t handle. Make a thorough inspection of the unit and determine the problem ASAP. Some locations’ water supplies contain larger traces of harmful minerals which can be tough on water heaters, and can lead to them breaking down far sooner than expected.

When it comes to the water you use, take no risks with boiler repair. Call Flame Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical for expert assistance on your water heater.