The water in your home is responsible for making certain water is hot to the touch as soon as you need it. This means that the water heater must be running both day and night, keeping the water heated in case you need it. This means the parts of the water heater are running excessively, and they tend to break down more frequently than any other appliance in the home. Here is a quick guide to understanding how the water heater can become damaged.

What are the Signs of a Water Heater in Need of Repair?
One of the first signs the water heater is experiencing trouble is the water from the taps will be discolored or have a sulfur smell to it. This is a build-up of contaminants in the tank that either corroded the pipes or grown in abundance within.This build can cause the delicate components of the water heater to easily become damaged. Your local plumbing company can flush the water heater to remove most of the sediment and determine how serious the damage may be.

Should you Repair or Replace Your Water Heater?
When your water heater is running and you hear what appears to be rocks rolling around inside a steel drum, it can be an indication the parts within the tank are damaged. Water that takes longer to heat can be an indication the heating elements have become damaged. The best way to determine whether to repair or replace is having your local plumbing profession do an inspection of the tank. They will be able to quickly identify if it is just a case of a dirty tank, or whether the heating components are beyond repair.

What Causes Water Heater Damage?
The damage to the water heater is a combination of excessive wear and deposits in the water supply eating away at the metal in the tank over time. As the pipes become corroded from the inside, it becomes harder for water to pass thorough the pipes and into the tank. When the water temperature is too high, the heating elements run excessively and simply wear out sooner than their life expectancy. Newer water heaters are much more energy efficient, being able to heat water quickly and running less each day. This will result in lower heating bills and longer time between replacing the entire hot water heater.