One of the most notorious household disasters is a failing water heater — at least, it is when you’re taking a shower early in the morning, only to receive a frigid wake-up call! Since everyone needs hot water, Osterwisch Company is dedicated to helping their Cincinnati clients never experience surprise cold showers and other inconveniences.

Why learn the hard way when you can learn the easy way? Here are a few early signs that your water heater needs replacing:

• Water Heater Age: Thanks to industry standardization, it’s easy to tell how old your water heater is, even if you weren’t there when it was installed. Simply check the manufacturer’s sticker (located on top of your unit) for the serial number. Generally, the letter at the beginning represents the month it was made (e.g. “A” means January), and the next two digits represent the year (e.g. “10” means 2010). If the date is more than 10 years ago, think about replacing your water heater soon.
• Hot Water Tank Leaks: Water heaters over 10 years old are a lot more likely to leak. If you notice water pooling around it, get it inspected, especially if the exact source of the leak is ambiguous. A leaking water heater tank leads to different consequences than leaking fittings, connections, or pipes.
• Rumbling Sounds When You Use Hot Water: Water heaters collect a lot of sediment over the years, the frequent reheating of which is what causes banging and rumbling sounds. The sediment itself does not damage your water heater, but the reduced efficiency it causes does; your heater will work a lot harder to heat water, causing the metal parts to get brittle and crack.
• Discolored Tap Water: The main explanation for rust-colored water is actual rust — but where is it coming from? Call Osterwisch Company to inspect your system and find out if it’s because of a rusty water heater or a rusty pipe.

Having water heater troubles or other plumbing problems? You can reach Osterwisch Company in Cincinnati at (513) 791-3282 for a fair and honest estimate. To learn more about their services, which also include electrical, heating, and cooling services, visit them online.