How to Tell If It Is Time for a New Water Heater

We all know it is time for a new water heater if our water heater breaks.  But, how can you tell if you need a new water heater before you have absolutely no access to hot water?  Are there warning signs?  The answer is – yet!  Every homeowner should know the warning signs that their water heater may soon fail and take preventive measure to maintain, fix or replace their water heater.

Water Heater Age

One of the first ‘signs’ it is time to replace your water heater is not necessarily a sign or symptom but rather, the age of the water heater.  Generally speaking, a water heater should last approximately 10-15 years when well-maintained and routinely serviced.  If your water heater is getting old or has survived past the average then you should start preparing to replace it.  Fortunately, new water heaters will likely be more effective and energy efficient.

Leaking Water

One major problem and sign of damage is any amount of leaking.  Is there water pooling around the base of your water heater?  If so, it could be a sign that there is a crack in your water heater tank.  And, even if the crack is only tiny and the amount of leaking water is minimal, it is a big problem that, when left unattended, could wind up costing you a lot.

Noisy Water Heater

Another warning sign is noise coming from your water heater.  If you hear banging, rumbling, or rattling coming from your water heater it is not a good sign and is something you should have addressed as soon as possible.  Sediment may begin to build up inside the tank and then break off into pieces and jostle around inside the water heater.

Rusty Water

Rusty water should never come out of your faucets.  If you notice rusty, murky or muddy water coming from your faucets there could potentially be two culprits – the pipes or your water heater.  Turn on only the hot water and if the rust only appears when you have hot water running then it is likely because your water heater has a large amount of rust built up inside which is corroding the inside of your eater heater.