5 Signs Your Water Heater May Break

Age of your water heater. Hot water heaters typically last 8 to 12 years. If you have an older unit that keeps going out, it may be time to replace it. If you don’t know how old your water heater is, look for a label with an installation date on the unit. If you can’t find one, research online the manufacturer and serial number to determine the age.

Water leaking from the unit. If you notice water leaking from your water heater or pooling under it, the unit may be broken and needs to be replaced. It is also possible that the valves are not fully closed, or the connections are loose. These components may need to be tightened or replaced, which are easy fixes.

Inconsistent water temperature/pressure. If you run out of hot water quickly in the shower and/or have noticed low water pressure, you may have sediment buildup in your tank. Sediment buildup leaves less space for hot water, which is why you run out of hot water faster. The sediment can be flushed out of your system if there isn’t too much buildup.