How do I know if I need a new water heater?
Age is the biggest signal: once a tank water heater passes 10 years old, have it checked. Other clear signs are rusty or discolored hot water, persistent leaks at the base of the tank (not just the supply connections), loud rumbling during heating, and rising gas or electric bills with no other explanation. If the tank itself is leaking, replace it right away; water damage compounds fast.
Six signs your water heater needs replacing
- Find the age first: The manufacture date is coded into the serial number on the label, and each brand codes it differently (on most A.O. Smith heaters, the first two digits are the year and the next two are the week). Not sure? Text a photo of the label to (909) 247-6791 and we'll tell you how old it is. If a tank water heater is past 10 years old, replacement is on the horizon regardless of whether it's actively failing.
- Look at the water: Fill a glass from the hot tap. If only the first glass is rusty and the water clears up after running for a bit, you may have rust in the pipes, not the heater itself. If the cold tap runs rusty too, the pipes are the source. If the hot water stays rust-colored, the tank is corroding from the inside, and it's time to replace the heater.
- Listen for rumbling: A rumbling, popping, or banging sound during operation means sediment has built up at the bottom of the tank. Mild buildup can be flushed (how to flush a water heater). Heavy buildup that won't flush out means the heater is near end of life.
- Check for leaks: A small drip at a fitting can often be stopped by tightening the fitting. But moisture or pooling around the base of the tank itself means the tank is leaking. Tank leaks cannot be repaired. Shut the cold water valve at the top of the tank, turn the gas control to OFF (or switch off the breaker), and call (909) 312-4516 or text (909) 247-6791.
- Track how long the hot water lasts: A working heater should deliver 60-80% of its rated capacity as hot water before going cold. If your 40-gallon tank runs out partway through one shower, the dip tube may be broken, sediment may be taking up much of the tank, or a burner or element may be failing.
- Watch the energy bills: A heater fighting through heavy sediment burns more gas or electricity to heat the same water. If your bills have crept up and nothing else changed, the heater is working too hard.
Seeing any of these signs? Call (909) 312-4516 or text (909) 247-6791. Sweetwater is an A.O. Smith Authorized Service Contractor. We'll tell you honestly whether a repair makes sense or it's time to replace, and whenever an expansion tank goes in, we set its air charge to match your house water pressure first.
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