Water heaters are an essential part of your routine lifestyle and are used for several purposes like cleaning, cooking and bathing daily. Though a water heater lasts for a long time such extensive use of the appliance regularly is bound to result in some wear and tear of the heater. Knowing when it is the right time to bid adieu to your current water heater and replace it with a new one can be tricky sometimes.

You should consider replacing your water heater once it starts displaying the following signs.

An appliance will always indicate that it has peaked its life through certain red flags and understanding those red flags at the right time can often help you avoid any kind of unwanted disasters.

Age of the water heater

First and foremost the age factor is essential to identify the problems with the water heater. If you install a good quality water heater with the help of the plumber you are ensured about 8 to10 years of utility out of the appliance without any issues. However, after a decade the water heater is bound to have aged and will require replacement.

Running out of hot water

Another sure shot sign that you should replace your water heater is if the water starts turning cold very soon or the temperature of the water is not as high as it used to be initially. Shortage of hot water for the water heater could be a result of either one of these two things:

• It can be due to significant damage to a heating element in the heater. This needs to be checked out by a professional plumber as he/she will be able to identify the repair that needs to be done and will be able to repair it efficiently.

• The other reason for this might be the insufficient size of the tank. This could be due to the addition of new members in the family or an increase in the usage of the water heater in recent months. Replacing your current water heater would be the smartest choice if this is the case.

Corrosion and Rust

Water heater tanks are most commonly made of steel. Though the metal is long-lasting but can easily fall prey to rust. As time goes by, rust can develop either in the tank, valves, faucets or pipes and can cause severe corrosion. We can notice the developing rust through reddish-brown water or red sediments around valves. If you don’t observe similar red and muddy water through the cold water tap it indicates that you need to call a plumber to install a new water heater as this one has been deteriorated due to corrosion.

Unusual sounds from the heater

A certain red flag is the occurrence of weird and unusual grumbling noises from the faucet or from the heater itself when the water heater is turned on. The noises may be due to mineral build-up in the heater or due to sedimented rust in the tank of the heater. These residues interact with the heating elements in the water heater and get heated themselves creating a rumbling sound. They may also get stuck in the pipes and cause blockage of water causing some sounds. If you notice such sounds, you should immediately replace your water heater as such blockages could lead the entire heater to fail eventually.

Leakage from the heater

If the water heater is really old you observe leaks from the tank. They can either be noticed through the presence of small puddles near the heater or constant dripping or trickling of water from the heater. These can be dangerous if not treated or rectified in due time. You should contact a plumber and either install a new water heater or get the leaks repaired.

Does the heater ask for constant maintenance?

If your water heater is always in need of repairs, fails to function properly even after a lot of maintenance or you experience elevated amounts in heating bills it is advisable to consult a professional plumber to check out the heater instead of taking matters in your own hands. It is very risky to handle such supplies without professional help as it could easily lead to health hazards like explosions or excessive emission of carbon monoxide due to faulty repairs which could prove to be fatal.