10 Signs Your Water Heater Is Failing

Learn the top 10 signs to recognize if your water heater is failing.Discover when repair or

replacement is necessary as well as frequently asked questions about water heaters and how to

handle different issues you might be experiencing.

10 Signs Your Water Heater Is About To Fail

There is never a good time for a water heater to give out on you. Losing hot water in your home

is much more disrupting than one may think. Minnesota winters and cold showers just do not

mix, and not knowing the signs of a failing system can lead to costly repairs and even

unexpected damage to your home.

Luckily, your home's water heater will show you the signs of failure before your system

completely stops working. The ability to recognize these symptoms may seem complex, but

stick with us. Detecting them early will help you avoid emergencies, protect your home, and help

extend the lifetime of your system for years to come.

Below are what we found to be the most common signs that your water heater may be

approaching the end of its life.

1. Your Water Heater Is 10-15 Years Old

The age of your water heater is the leading indicator of whether or not you're approaching a

system replacement or not. Traditional tank system water heaters last anywhere between 8-12

years, whereas well maintained models may last up to 15 years. Generally, tankless style water

heaters have the longest lifespan, but still require routine maintenance.

If you are reading this and said, “my unit is 10 years old and showing signs of wear” your most

cost effective plan may be to replace it rather than continuing to invest in repairs and small fixes.

2. Running Out Of Hot Water Faster Than Usual

Are your showers getting shorter? If your hot water is running lukewarm, or even cold sooner

than normal, this could be a tank capacity issue.

Sediment will naturally build inside of the tank of your water heater reducing its capacity over

time. Over time, natural minerals found in Minnesota’s hard water will settle into the bottom of

the tank. This sediment can become thick over time and forces the water heater to work harder

while having less room to store your hot water. Suddenly your 40 gallon water heater becomes

35 gallons, then 30, and so on.

This sediment buildup will not necessarily be detectable visually. You however may be surprised

when the tank is cut open after deinstallation to see the mountains of white calcified sediment

lying in them.

Here are the cliff notes of common signs that this is your issue:

- Hot water doesn’t last long.

- Water takes longer to heat up

- Family members competing for hot showers.

3. Discolored or Rust-Colored Water

Are you noticing brown or even rusty looking water coming from your hot water tap?

This can indicate two things that are happening inside of your water heater tank. The first is

corrosion, aka rust. This is a pretty straight forward indication of an aging system while factoring

in our earlier topic of the effects of sediment buildup. The second is deterioration of the anode

rod which is designed to protect your tank from this exact issue, but over time can fail.

If discoloration in your water appears only when running hot water, not cold, it could be a sign of

internal failure in your water heater.

4. Strange Noises Coming from The Tank

A well operating water heater should be relatively quiet, and unnoticed.

If you hear….

- Rumbling

- Banging

- Cracking

- Popping

Your water heater may be in trouble.

A partial diagnosis for this issue brings us all the way back to #2. These sounds can often be

caused by hardened sediment collecting at the bottom of your water heater tank.

Oftentimes, the settled sediment traps water beneath it causing the water to create noise as the

burner heats the tank. Over time, the cause of these strange noises will reduce efficiency and

cause additional stress on your water heater.

5. Water Around The Base Of The Water Heater

There is a small puddle near the bottom of your water heater….what should you do?

A leak like this may be caused by:

- Loose plumbing fittings

- A failing pressure relief valve

- Condensation

- A crack in the water heater tank

If the tank itself is leaking, replacing the system is usually the best, and safest option.

6. Inconsistent Water Temperature

If your shower ever suddenly runs cold, here is the issue.

Wavering water temperature often clues us in to failing heating elements, thermostat problems,

or internal tank issues.

While some repairs can be simple, the inconsistent temperatures can simply indicate that your

water heater is nearing the end of its service life.

7. Your Energy Bill is Increasing

As your water heater ages, it has to work much harder to produce the same amount of hot water

as when it was brand new.

If your efficiency is declining, you will probably notice:

- Longer tank recovery times

- More energy consumption

- Heightened utility bills

These inefficiencies will progressively get worse, so our best recommendation is to replace your

water heater. In this situation, upgrading to a high efficiency model (like a tankless model) would

significantly improve your hot water storage, energy consumption, and lower your utility bill.

8. Frequent Repairs

Every appliance in your home will eventually reach the point where repairs no longer will suffice,

or financially don’t make sense.

If you have made recent repairs or replacements to your water heater like; heating elements,

valves, thermostats, or other components and new issues continue to arise, it may be time to

invest in a new system all together.

9. Low Hot Water Pressure

This one is popular!

We have addressed mineral buildup several times in this blog making it one of the leading

causes of water heater failure. Mineral buildup can restrict overall water flow inside on the tank

and even further out to the plumbing connections.

If you notice your hot water pressure is lower than your cold water pressure, this could be a sign

of sediment or corrosion affecting your systems performance.

If you think this may be your issue, a professional inspection can determine whether the issue

can be repaired, or if a system replacement is needed.

10. Metallic or Rotten Egg Smell

If your hot water puts off a metallic or rotten egg odor…your water heater is giving you a

warning sign.

The rotten egg odor often indicates that bacteria is reacting with the anode rod inside of the

system, while a metallic odor points toward corrosion.

No matter how small, these issues should be addressed immediately by a professional to

determine the cause.

Why Do Minnesota Water Heaters Wear Out Faster?

A large number of homes throughout the Twin Cities experience hard water, which contains high

levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Over time, these dissolved minerals collect inside of your water heater tank, eventually reducing

its efficiency and wearing down the internal components of the system. Regular maintenance is

a great way to prevent issues due to mineral buildup, as well as extend the life of your water

heater.

Should I Repair or Replace My Water Heater?

Not every issue with your water heater requires you to replace your system.

Minor issues such as a faulty thermostat, bad heating elements, or valves can more often than

not be repaired. It is worthy to note however, that replacement usually is a better long-term

investment if…

- Your water heater is more than 10 years old.

- The water heater tank itself is leaking

- Repairs become more and more frequent

- Rust or corrosion begins to appear

- You're experiencing multiple system issues at once.

A licensed plumber can help you prevent these issues from occurring, as well as maintain the

health and longevity of your system. Regular services and check ups to your water heater will in

turn reduce the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns.

My Water Heater Needs To Be replaced:

Does your water heater need replacement?

If your water heater is showing any of these warning signs, it is time to replace your system

before you are left without hot water.

The experienced team at NRH Plumbing provides professional water heater inspections,

repairs, maintenance, and replacement services for residential homeowners, as well as

commercial businesses throughout the greater Twin Cities area. NRH Plumbing will evaluate

your current system in your home, give you several options for replacement, and help you

choose the right water heater for your home and budget.

Contact NRH Plumbing today to schedule your water heater inspections! Don’t go a day

without hot water in your home. 612-900-7728

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long should a residential home water heater last?

Most residential tank water heaters last between 8 and 12 years. Tankless systems can often

last 20 years or more while proper maintenance is maintained.

Can I still use my water heater if it is leaking?

If you are observing an active leak from your water heater tank, it is best to turn off your hot

water supply and contact NRH Plumbing as soon as possible. Continuing to use a leaking tank

can result in significant water damage to your home.

Pro Tip: All water shut-offs in your home should be labeled throughout your home. When you

run into issues such as leaks, you don’t have to scramble and guess which one needs to be

turned off. When receiving service from NRH Plumbing, technicians will automatically label your

shut-offs for you ensuring you are well prepared if an emergency were to arrive.

Should I repair or replace my old water heater?

If your water heater is at the end of its lifespan, and is experiencing need for frequent repairs,

replacement is more often than not the most cost-effective solution for your home.

How can I make my water heater last longer?

Conducting annual maintenance such as flushing sediment from the tank, replacing the internal

anode rod, and addressing small issues and concerns early can significantly extend the life of

your system. A professional plumber is able to complete these services and help you increase

the lifespan of your water heater

< Older Post

10 Signs Your Water Heater Is Failing | NRH Plumbing