5 Signs You Need a New Water Heater

Your water heater is one of the hardest working appliances in your home. Because of it, you have hot showers and baths, water for cooking, water for washing your clothes, and water for shaving and washing your face. But if your water heater stops working, things can be very cold. Imagine being in the shower and all of the sudden the water is ice cold. No one wants that. So here are some signs that your water heater may be on its way out.

1. The water’s cold

If your water isn’t hot, that is the first and most obvious sign that you have to replace your water heater. If there’s no hot water, first make sure that the pilot light is lit. If this has gone out or there is a tripped circuit breaker, relighting that light will usually fix the issue. If not, this could mean that the water heater is on the way out. An earlier sign that your water heater is failing is that it takes a lot longer for your water heater to get regenerated in between uses, or the water temperatures are inconsistent.

2. Muddy, rusty, or sandy water is coming from your faucet

Water that is discolored coming from faucets often will mean that one of your anodes is rusty or that sediment has built up in the water heater. If the water is rusty, it means that you have an anode that is rusty. This anode is the sacrificial rod that corrodes purposefully rather than the steel in your tank. This helps with protecting your water heater’s life. Before you replace it, try to replace this anode.

If you’re noticing that sediment’s coming from the faucets, it means that the water heater needs flushing so the buildup is eliminated. If you still are noticing discoloration, chances are you have to need a new water heater.

3. Banging or creaking coming from the water heater

It’s not a good sign if you think that your water heater is trying out for one of the garage bands. Knocking or rumbling coming from the heater usually is due to sediment buildup contacting your heating element. The sediment is being burned away by the heater. You should try flushing your tank first.

4. Puddles forming around your heater

If you are seeing a puddle that’s forming around the tank, it means you want to take action immediately. Your tank is leaking, and it can flood the home and lead to serious damage. The bad news is that this always means you need a new one.

5. It’s over 10 to 15 years old

A water heater usually doesn’t last more than 10 or 20 years. If you have an older water heater and it’s experiencing one or more of the problems above, chances are that you have to get a new one.

These are some of the signs that you will need to buy a new water heater. Look for these problems and you’ll know how your water heater is doing and whether a new one is in your near future.