Hot water is a luxury that has become a staple in our lives. But, what happens when your water heater quite unexpectedly? Will you be out of hot water long? Will you be ankle deep in hot water? There are often signs that your water heater is starting to fail. One of the key indicators is rust spots, where a potential tank failure could occur. Rust does not necessarily mean your tank is going to fail immediately, but it does mean it is getting closer to fail date. Once you notice rust, monitor the tank to catch it when the leak starts. This is also the time to start budgeting for a replacement unit.
Another sign that your water heater is nearing the end of its lifespan is when there are popping and banging noises coming from inside the tank. This is caused by a build up of sediment in the bottom of the tank and can be prevented by flushing the tank regularly and having a water softener. Once the build up is there, it is difficult to get rid of and will slowly decrease the capacity of your water tank.