Just like any other home appliances, your water heating equipment is bound to break down over time and require replacement. Unless you enjoy taking cold showers, you’ll want to replace your heating appliance before it completely malfunctions and stops working. Waiting too long could result in greater complications like huge leaks and water damage to your home. So, it’s imperative that you are able to tell when it’s time to get a water heater replacement. Discussed below are a few things to watch out for.

The Age of Your Water Heater

Knowing the age of your water heater is very important. Heaters that are more than ten years old will often develop leaks. On average, a heater will last for 8-12 years, and with appropriate maintenance, you could nearly double its lifespan. You can tell the age of your heater by examining the serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker. It is located on the upper portion of the heating appliance.

Rust and Corrosion

If you detect the presence of rust in your hot water as it gets drawn from the tap, the chances are that your water heating appliance is worn out. The majority of water tanks are constructed from steel, making rust a common occurrence. Unfortunately, repairing a rusting and corroding water tank is virtually impossible. If the heater hasn’t already started leaking, it will be only a matter of time before it does.

However, if you have galvanized piping, rusty water could be a sign of corroding pipes. To avoid unnecessarily replacing your heating appliance, you could conduct a test by draining a few gallons of water from the heater. If by the third gallon the water coming from the heater is still rusty, you can rule out corroding pipes. At this point, your best option may be replacing the entire heating system. This would eliminate unnecessary expenses and damage to your home.

Rumbling Noise

Old water heaters will often have sediment buildups at the bottom of the tank, which hardens as it gets heated and reheated. During this process, you may hear banging or rumbling sounds coming from the heater. This often happens at the end of the water heater’s useful life. Hardened sediment often means reduced efficiency as the heater consumes more gas or electricity when heating the water.

With time, the damage caused by sediment buildup will make the heater need extra time to heat your water. This can cause more wear on the metal tank along with the development of brittle metal that could crack and cause holes. Rumbling noises accompanied with small leaks means you may want to get a water heater replacement from a reputable plumber in Reno.

The Presence of Water around the Heater

The presence of moisture around your water heating equipment is often indicative of a small leak or fracture in the tank. Heated metal will expand and the presence of slight fractures could lead to water leakage from the tank. Before replacing your heating system, you will want to ensure that the leaks are not from either the fittings or tank connections. If you find that all the fittings and connections are dry, it could be time you replaced your water heater.

Inability to Drain Water

Sediment buildup will not only cause rumbling noises, but it will also break down the interior of the tank and clog the drain valve. Flushing your water heating system once a year will go a long way in extending the usable life of your heater. However, there is a possibility of sediment buildup reaching a point where the tanks can no longer be drained. The draining process could also agitate the sediment, leading to the development of severe leakage. You may contact a professional plumber for assistance. They can tell you if the situation requires replacing the entire water heating system.

If your water is not as hot as it used to be, this could be an indicator of a problem with the electric thermostat or the heating element. It is not unusual to see these components failing entirely or simply malfunctioning over time. Sometimes, production of cold water could result from increased demand for hot water by your household. Therefore, your water heating equipment could be functioning properly, but it is unable to meet your household’s hot water demands. In such cases, you may want to opt for a new water heater installation. For more information, log on to this webpage for more information.

If you see any of the signs mentioned above or you are already experiencing a water failure, you should contact a reputable plumbing company that services water heaters for an accurate diagnosis. If you are unsure about replacing or repairing your heating system, the best option is contacting a professional plumber.

If you feel like stress is constantly overwhelming your life, you are not alone. Tension is a way of life for most people in the 21st century. Human beings simply were not designed for the level of stimulation that we are routinely exposed to in the modern world. We are all constantly on the go, and this leads to people not taking care of themselves the way they should. It is critical that you learn how to manage stress. Stress has been linked to many serious health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and depression. If you want to be happier and healthier, use the following seven tips to relax and reduce the tension.

1. Meditate

One of the best ways to be healthier and reduce the tension of modern life is to meditate. Meditation has been around for thousands of years for a very simple reason, it works. Whenever the pressure of modern life seems overwhelming, a quick meditation can make everything right again. If you are new to meditation, you should begin with five minutes a day. Slowly increase the time you meditate until you are meditating for at least 10 minutes a day. When you add meditation to your life, you will find you are much calmer, healthier and able to handle the over-stimulation of the modern world much better.

2. Massage

Getting a massage is one of the most pleasurable ways to de-stress. If you have never enjoyed a massage before, you don’t know what you are missing. The blissful feeling you have after a massage is proof that getting a massage is one of the best stress-relieving activities imaginable. To help keep yourself feeling relaxed, consider the benefits of adding a weekly massage to your routine.

3. Exercise

Research has shown that people who exercise regularly are less stressed. This is because exercise floods your system with endorphins. The endorphins are the body’s pleasure chemicals, and they wash away the tension when they flood your body after a workout. It doesn’t matter what kind of exercise you do. Just get up and be active. Start walking every day. Train for a marathon. Join a swim team. Learn to rock climb. Just get up off the couch and exercise any way that seems fun to you.

4. Be Social

One of the saddest things about the 21st century is that even though people are more connected to each other than ever before through the Internet, people feel lonelier now than ever. Technological interaction through social networks is not a replacement for human interaction. You need to get out there and interact with people in the physical world. Social interaction is one of the best treatments when you are feeling stressed out. Next time you are feeling overwhelmed, plan a party or night out on the town to lift your spirits.

5. Tickle Your Funny Bone

Laughter really is the best medicine when you are feeling tense. When you laugh, it releases the same endorphins that exercise does, eliminating tension and leaving you feeling wonderful. Next time you are feeling stressed, watch your favorite comedy to unwind.

6. Take a Nap

Another sad fact about modern existence is that naps are not something that most people get to enjoy beyond childhood. That is a real shame as the body benefits greatly from napping. When you nap, your body has lower levels of cortisol, the stress-causing hormone. Next time life seems overwhelming, try a 20-minute power nap to instantly feel better about things.

7. Adopt a Pet

Research shows that pet owners are less stressed than others. Whether you are petting your kitty, playing catch with your dog or watching your fish swim, interacting with pets has been shown to make people happier and less stressed out. There are plenty of pets out there at shelters that could use a good home, and you could use the pick-me-up.

Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month. That makes this the perfect time for you to look for stress-reducing tips. With the seven tips above, you will be able to chill out. Using these tips will make you happier and healthier, improving the quality of your life.

You owe it to yourself to find ways to chill out. Exercise, meditate or do whatever it takes to start relaxing. When you take the time to take care of yourself by engaging in stress-relieving activities, it is not only good for you. You will be happier and make those around you happier as well. For the benefit of all, always be on the lookout for ways to reduce your stress levels.