In a perfect house, appliances never break. Here in the real world, the next best thing is preventing broken appliances by replacing them before they malfunction. Bernie Buchner, Inc. in La Crosse, WI has over 60 years of experience providing heating and plumbing services, and they want to know how to tell when it's time to replace your water heater.

You use your water heater for cooking, cleaning, and bathing. Some homes also depend on it for heat during the colder months. Think of how you and your family will be affected if your water heater stops working. How can you tell when it's time to replace it?

• Age. Gas water heaters last about 6-8 years, while electric water heaters are good for 8-10 years. Your heater is more likely to malfunction as it gets older. If your water heater is reaching the end of its life, now is the time to replace it.
• Rust. If your hot water has a rusty color, it may be coming from inside your water heater tank. Once your tank starts rusting, there’s no way to stop the progress; it’s time for a new tank.
• Sediments build up. Sediment will accumulate in your tank over time. This makes your water heater become less efficient since it uses more electricity to heat up the water. Since your water heater is also working harder, this causes more wear. You can tell if sediment has built up when your tank makes a banging or rumbling noise while heating water or you’re unable to flush the water from your heater through its drain valve.
• Leaking tank. When your water is heated, the metal tank will expand. This can cause small cracks, which lead to leaks. If you find cracks on your heater, it's time to replace it.

Call Bernie Buchner, Inc. at (608) 784-9000 for expert water heater installation and repair services. To learn about their water softener installation and HVAC services, visit them online for more information.