Water Heater Warning Signs Newmarket Homeowners Shouldn’t Ignore
Water heaters tend to fail quietly until the day they don’t. Here are the signs we tell Newmarket homeowners to watch for, for both tank and tankless units.
Tank water heaters
- Water around the base: check first that it isn’t the relief valve discharge or a fitting on top. If the tank itself is leaking, it needs replacing, and soon.
- Rusty or brown hot water: the anode rod may be used up and the tank starting to corrode.
- Rumbling or popping: sediment at the bottom of the tank. Flushing can help on younger tanks.
- Relief valve dripping: could be high pressure from a missing or failed expansion tank, or a worn valve. Don’t plug it.
- Age: most tanks last 8 to 12 years. Check the serial number for the manufacture date.
Tankless water heaters
- Error codes: tankless units show a code when something’s wrong. Write it down; our tankless no hot water guide explains the common ones.
- Hot water goes lukewarm under heavy use: often scale on the heat exchanger. Units need descaling, usually yearly in hard-water areas.
- Doesn’t fire at low flow: sometimes a dirty inlet filter or a flow sensor issue.
Owned or rented?
Many Ontario homes rent their water heater. If yours is a rental, the rental company handles repairs, but you can usually buy out or end the contract. Read the terms before making changes.
Safety
A gas water heater needs proper venting and combustion air just like a furnace. Scorch marks at the top, a strong smell when it fires, or a pilot that keeps going out should be checked right away.
For repairs or replacement, see our water heater services or contact us at 647-657-2977. We serve Newmarket and the GTA.
