Things I Learned When I Found Out My Tenants Water Heater Went Out

Last I got a text from my tenants that they were only getting cold water. It was 9pm and knew it was probably two late to call anyone so I asked a few questions:

Me: Is the gas on the stove working? ( Thinking maybe they didn’t pay the gas bill but they’re good tenants so I knew that was a dumb questions as soon as i asked it)

Tenant: No it is working

Me: Ok can you go to the water heater and check to see if the pilot light is on.

He went to check it out and it was off. When trying to light the pilot light it wouldn’t relight and at that point I was scrambling to do research. The thought of thinking about this family taking cold showers didn’t sit right with me and I should’ve been prepared.

So the next day I called two different plumbing companies ( I had no clue they handled water heaters) and both confirmed it needed to be replaced. This isn’t always the case and in this site I found some common cases of why  the pilot light may not light. Why won’t my heater light? 

So now I want to share some information with you about water heaters to make sure you stay informed and your water stays warm!

Also if you don’t have one  GET A HOME WARRANTY PLAN! Water heaters can cost $3000-$5000 to repair! Your Home Warranty should replace this for a small fee depending on what plan you’re on so do your research.

What to look for to see if your water heater may need to be replaced

How Old Is Your Water Heater

From what I have found a water heater will usually last at around 10 – 12 years before needing to be replaced. Apparently mine was from 1998 so this guy was a dinosaur. To extend the life of your water heater the technician recommended using a water softener and scheduling regular maintenance to help. To check how old the hot water heater is, check the serial number printed by the manufacturer. The last two numbers of the code are the last two numbers of the year. This label can be found on the top part of the water heater.

Hot Water Storage

When hot water is running out quickly or you struggle to get hot for the faucet this can be another sign. An electrical problem or sediment buildup around the burner or heating element might be a problem when the heater takes a long time to warm up the water. Check with your local plumbing service companies to see if you can extend the life of the equipment by requesting an annual flush of the water tank.

Delivering Rusty or Cloudy Water

Another warning sign is when the water coming from the faucets isn’t crystal clear. Rust deposits or a metallic odor coming out with hot water can signal either rusty pipes or rust inside the water heater. If corrosion is eating away the metal from the inside, leaks are soon to come.

Murky water from the tap can also be signs that the water heater will fail soon. The cloudy look of the water is caused by mineral deposits in the system. As they build up, these deposits can clog the flow of water and damage the heater components.

Leaking

Take a look at all areas around your water heater. If you see water dripping from any pipes, the tank, or it looks like a duck pond under your unit, have someone come out to look at it. It could just be tightening of a few loose items on the tank or other  bigger problems. Leaking might also mean that the tank has corroded or cracked. If the tank is damaged, it’s time to replace the water heater. Either way do not wait to get it checked out!

Your Unit Sounds Like It Is Making Popcorn and Has A Hungry Stomach 

Your water heater may be close to failure when you go into the closet or garage where your water heater is and you hear popcorn-like sounds popping or grumbling ( like a hungry stomach)  noises coming from the water heater. These sounds will be louder as it gets older and  happens when there is mineral formation and sediment buildup hardening inside the tank. As this layer forms and thickens, the water heater must consume more energy to do its job and it wears on the tank and components. This can relate to more cracks and leaks overtime.

After this situation I plan on having my water heater checked by a plumber or tech at least once a year. Along with making sure my home warranty is always something I have in case something like this comes up. 

Speaking of a home warranty I am so glad I had one when I first got my home. My A/C unit on the roof went out and they had to crane a A/C Heater Unit on my roof. This didn’t cost me more than $100 but imagine if I didn’t have it…… Also imagine if they had ended up using a helicopter!

Lesson for the day: Always remember to never take a warm shower for granted and thank God for whoever created water heaters.