Signs Your Water Heater Needs Service
Water heaters usually give warning before they fail outright. Here's what to watch for.
Water heaters tend to fail gradually rather than all at once, which means there's usually a window to get service before a homeowner is left without hot water entirely.
Longer Heating Times or Less Hot Water
A heating element or thermostat that's starting to fail often shows up first as water that takes longer to get hot, or that doesn't stay hot as long as it used to.
Unusual Noises
Rumbling, popping, or banging sounds during a heating cycle are typically caused by sediment that has settled at the bottom of the tank, trapping water underneath that boils and pops as it heats.
Discolored or Odd-Smelling Water
Rust-tinted water or a metallic smell can indicate corrosion inside the tank, particularly in older units approaching the end of their service life.
Moisture Around the Base
Pooling water at the bottom of the unit is one of the more serious signs, since it often means the tank itself has started to fail rather than a replaceable external part.