Warm, running water is an essential for every household – we need it for bathing, hand washing, cooking, laundry and washing the dishes just to name a few. The average person actually turns on the hot tap up to 20 times a day! When you multiply this by each in your household, the demands placed on your hot water system are brought into perspective. Sooner or later, you’re bound to start seeing signs that your beloved water heater is on the way out.

1. Too Old
   Nothing lasts forever, and this is particularly true of the heater. Most homeowners, however, are unaware of when they reach their expiration date – by knowing when your system has reached the end of its functional life, you’ll be able to take pre-emptive action to replace it. The majority of units will have a lifespan of between 8 and 10 years; gas ones, however, have a tendency to only last 6 to 8 years.
    
2. Rusty Water or Inlet/Valve
   Even though steel is the strongest material on earth, it does have one weakness – rust. Once corrosion takes hold, it will slowly spread and completely eat through in certain spots. Unfortunately, it’s often hard to tell whether rust is coming from the water heater itself or the pipes that lead to the faucet. If you spot rust around the inlet or pressure relief valve, it’s likely that it has also taken hold inside.
    
3. Noise
   Another telltale sign of an ailing hot water system is noise from inside the tank. As it ages, rumbling noises will start getting louder and louder as it tries to heat up water. Noise is generally due to sediment build up (it builds up on the bottom of the tank and eventually hardens). This is why the tank should be flushed annually, as it will drain sediment and allow it to work more efficiently. It will also increase its lifespan.
    
4. Water Around the Unit
   As the water heater reaches the end of its life, there’s an increased chance that you will start to see water appearing on the floor around it. This generally means one thing – it’s sprung a leak. The primary cause of leaks is due to expansion of metal in the tank, however, it could be also be due to problems with the fittings/connections or the temperature/overflow pipe. Unattended leaks can cause serious property damage.
    
5. Inadequate Heat
   Most of us take warm water for granted, which means we become unbalanced whenever our system fails in some way. Loss of heat in your supply usually comes down to one of three possible issues – a misadjusted thermostat, a broken heating element or a tank that’s too small for your household. The first two problems are easily rectified, whilst the third will require a replacement.

If you have begun to notice one of the above issues with your hot water system, we hope that the information provided here has encouraged you to see about having the unit replaced. Whilst no one likes having to take time off to have works done on their home, you’ll like it even less when you’re having a shower and the water suddenly turns ice cold. When choosing a new water heater, ensure that you seek professional advice.