7 Signs That Your Water Heater Might Be Failing

Your water heater is a plumbing fixture in your home that you probably don’t pay much attention to. Unlike your faucets or shower, which you turn on and off daily, your water heater works behind the scenes for you. If your water heater starts failing, you may not recognize some of the warning signs as quickly as you should.



Before you get left standing literally in the cold, freezing during your morning shower because your water heater isn’t working correctly, check out this list of 7 signs that your water heater might be failing you.

Not Enough Hot Water

Your water heater has two heating elements in the unit and heats multiple gallons of water at any time. A typical hot water heater can output 30-40 minutes of hot water before needing to refill and reheat.

If you find that you’re not getting near that amount of hot water from your water heater, it’s highly possible that one of your heating elements isn’t working correctly. Run a test and time the number of minutes it takes to run out of hot water. If it’s less than 30, contact the specialists at 1st American Plumbing, Heating & Air, and we’ll send someone out to inspect your water tank for you.

Inconsistent Water Temperature

Fluctuating water temperature is a good indication that something is going wrong with your water heater. This typically stems from the accumulation of mineral deposits over time. These mineral deposits cover the heating element, making heating the water more difficult than it should be.



If your unit is fairly new, the experts from 1st American Plumbing, Heating & Air can repair your water heater. But if it’s an older model, you’re most likely better off replacing your tank. Call our experts today if you need a recommendation of what to do.

Discolored Water Coming from Faucets

When the color of water coming from your faucets is anything but clear, it should be a cause for concern. Sedimentation in your hot water tank can cause your water to appear orange or brown, which could be a health hazard.



Contact a qualified plumber immediately and ask if they can come and examine your water heater. Your tank may need cleaning, or it may be time to replace your water heater.

Odd Noises Coming from the Heater

Small noises coming from your water heater can be perfectly normal. If you start to hear sounds like tapping or knocking coming from your water heater, it’s likely you have sediment buildup in the tank. This buildup can cause small tears and cracks in the metal tank, causing it to leak, which could cause damage to your home and end up being very costly.



If you’re concerned about the noises coming from your water heater, contact 1st American Plumbing, Heating & Air to evaluate your tank. It may only require a tank flush and a minor cleaning.

Water Leaking from the Tank

As we mentioned above, noise causes cracks and tears in your water heating tank. When these cracks and tears occur, water leaks from the tank. These leaks can be small, and often unnoticeable, but other times they can be large and flood your home quickly.

If you happen to notice a small leak, have it repaired quickly. Ignoring even the smallest amount of water pooling at the base of your water heater could mean a bigger problem is lurking.

Low Water Pressure

If the sediment and minerals are building up in your water heater, the inside of your water tank could be corroding. All of this corrosion eventually settles near the bottom of the tank, but sometimes the sediment can get pulled up into the water supply line and will cause a blockage. This blockage lowers the water pressure that’s being output.

Also, the older your water heater, the more likely it is that you will experience low water pressure.

Age of Water Heater

If your water heater is more than 10 years old and your water heater is showing any of these signs above, it’s probably time to replace it. Most water heaters last ten to fifteen years. If you’ve got a lot of people who use water in your home, that lifespan could be shorter.

If you’re experiencing at least one or more of these signs above, you should contact the experts at 1st American Plumbing, Heating & Air at (801) 477-5818 or by filling out this online form. Not only are our expert technicians the most trusted in the valley, but we will respond to you in a timely manner and get you on our schedule as soon as we can.