Three Signs You Need a New Water Heater

You depend on your water heater to provide your home with hot water when you need it, but like any other appliance it can only perform this task for so long. After a while, you’ll have to replace your water heater with a new one, and knowing when to make this replacement is a vital part of being a homeowner. At Smith's Plumbing Services, we want you to be able to make informed decisions about your plumbing. Here are three signs you should consider getting a new water heater soon to help you avoid a major breakdown or worse, catastrophic leak.

Rusty Water

When you turn on your water faucet, you expect the water to be free from major deposits. However, a water tank that’s starting to rust may prevent this. A rusty tank contaminates the water, causing it to come out a murky brown color. If you turn on your hot water and it comes out this way, you should have your water heater replaced as soon as possible, as rust is a sign that the tank in your heater is wearing out and degrading, which means a leak or major crack is imminent, also increasing your flooding risk.

Signs of Water Damage

Leaks don’t always have obvious consequences, such as spilled water on the floor or obvious dripping out of the bottom of your water heater. Sometimes you have to look a little closer for signs. If your water heater is leaking, you may have to look underneath to spot signs of water damage or water leaks. Likewise, any signs that water may have been present on the floor near your heater are usually a good indication that your tank might be leaking. If you’re noticing signs that your heater could be leaking, you should consider having it replaced as soon as possible.

Lack of Hot Water

Sometimes your water heater can give out without ever actually springing a leak. Instead, the heating system may be what wears out, preventing your heater from being able to provide you with the warm water you need. If you notice that your water temperatures have dropped, usually pretty rapidly, this is usually a sign that your heating elements have worn out. While you can replace them, it’s usually a good idea to have your entire water heater replaced since your tank wearing out is usually only a short time away, especially if your heater is 10 years old or more.