Your hot water heater plays an essential role in your home’s day-to-day operations, and if it fails abruptly, you could be in trouble. However, there are steps you can take to understand your unit and predict when you’ll need a new system.

3 Common Signs of a Failing Hot Water Heater

• Aging: Aging is a fact of life—even for a hot water heater. Most units have a shelf life of about 10 years; once they pass that marker, they’ll be more susceptible to breakdowns. If your unit is older than a decade and frequently requires repairs, it may be time to consider a replacement.
• Noise: As water heaters age, they develop sediment inside. When the water heater warms up, the sediment hardens and produces a loud sound. Excessive sediment renders a water heater highly inefficient—it simply has to work too hard to warm the water.
• Rust: If you’ve noticed rust in the water, that could mean there’s rust inside the water heater. Rust weakens the structural components of a water heater, making it more susceptible to leaks. Call an emergency plumbing team right away if you find flooding around your hot water heater or anywhere in your household.

Modern hot water heaters are extremely energy-efficient, so it might be in your best interest to replace a unit even if it doesn’t need repairs. A new model can help you cut your monthly utility bills and lower your carbon footprint.

If you’re concerned about your hot water heater’s performance or are interested in a new installation, call on Emery Plumbing, the leading source for residential and commercial plumbing in Hilo, HI. Owned by John Mingo, who has over 35 years of experience in the field, Emery Plumbing can handle any size job, from emergency plumbing to large-scale commercial pipe installation. Visit the company’s website to learn more about their services, or call (808) 960-8828 to schedule an appointment today.