Is the old water heater in your home more than 10 years old?

If so, there are likely going to be some repairs that will need to be made to it soon. There is also a good chance that you’re going to have to plan to do water heater replacement at some point in the not-too-distant future.

The average water heater is only designed to last for a decade or so before it will start to give out on you. So if yours is starting to get up there in age, it would be a good idea for you to start setting aside a little bit of money to repair and eventually replace it.

Outside of old age, there are also some other signs that will let you know you’re going to need to repair or replace your water heater soon. Check out five of the most common signs below.

1. It’s Leaking

There are some signs that your old water heater needs to be repaired or replaced that won’t be super obvious to you. This is not one of those signs.

As your water heater gets older, some of the parts on and in it will begin to break down. When this happens, it’s not uncommon at all for it to begin to leak.

In a best-case scenario, a residential plumbing company will be able to come in and offer the services you need to keep your water heater up and running the way it’s supposed to. Replacing a worn-down part can often get your water heater to stop leaking.

But unfortunately, a leak might also be a clear indication that it’s time for your old water heater to be replaced. In fact, your water heating unit might even begin to leak so much that it can put floors, walls, and other things inside your home at risk if you don’t do something about it.

It’s why you shouldn’t ever hesitate to call on a plumbing company for help if you spot your water heater leaking. They can see how bad the leak is and either repair your existing water heater or install a new one right away.

2. It’s Not Producing Enough Hot Water

Have you noticed that your water heater is having trouble keeping up with the demand for hot water in your home? This could be another sign of trouble with it.

If members of your family have started to take longer showers than ever before, that could be the problem. By shortening their showers, you can avoid having your hot water supply run out as fast as it’s running out now.

But if it seems as though your water heater is simply struggling to produce as much hot water as it used to, it could show that there is an issue with it. There might be a part in it that needs to be repaired or replaced before it can get back to producing hot water like usual.

3. It’s Sending Rust-Colored Water Throughout Your Home

When a water heater inches closer to the end of its life cycle, some of the sediment inside of its tank will start to get kicked up and mix in with the hot water that it produces. This will turn the water a rust color and even make it look like mud in some cases.

If you ever see discolored water coming out of your faucets or your showerheads, it could be because there’s an issue with your local water supply. But it could also be because your water heater is sending dirty water throughout your home.

It’s a good idea to stop using your water right away if you ever see this particular problem. You’ll want to have a plumber visit your home sooner rather than later to address the issue and see what needs to be done to fix it.

4. It’s Making Strange Sounds All the Time

Has your water heater started to creak, knock, and bang for no reason at all?

You might think that this is an indication that it’s working hard to provide you with hot water. But in reality, it’s likely making strange sounds because there is something wrong with it.

In some instances, a plumber might be able to stop these sounds by flushing your water heater and getting rid of any sediment inside of it. But they might also have to repair the heating element in it or even replace your old water heater with one that won’t make as much noise.

5. It’s Causing Your Energy Costs to Skyrocket

If your energy bills have been on the higher side lately, there are a number of reasons why it might on the rise.

For example, your windows and doors might be allowing too much air to leak into your home and sending your HVAC system into overdrive. Or you might be leaving too many lights turned on and electronics plugged in on a regular basis.

But rising energy bills can also be the result of a malfunctioning water heater. When a water heater can’t keep up with the demand for hot water, it’ll become a lot less efficient and will constantly be scrambling to try and do its job.

Stop paying more than you should have to when your energy bill arrives every month. Have your water heater checked out to see if it’s the reason you’re overpaying for energy.

Don’t Let Your Home’s Old Water Heater Keep You Down

There are a lot of people who take their water heaters for granted. They don’t always appreciate how hard they work to provide them with more than enough hot water.

You’ll appreciate your old water heater more the first time you see any of the signs listed here. You’ll wish there was a way to get things back to normal with regards to your water heater.

One of our plumbing professionals can help you with any water heater problems you might encounter. We can inspect your water heater to see what’s wrong with it and talk to you about either repairing or replacing it right away.

Contact us today to have your home’s old water heater repaired or replaced.