How to Know If My Hot Water Heater Is Bad

No one wants to wait until a hot water heater completely stops working to get a replacement. A malfunctioning hot water can cause water damage in your home by springing a major leak if it bursts. You can look for several different signs to determine if your hot water heater is no longer operating correctly and then start planning to get a replacement.

Instructions

1. Consider the age of your hot water heater. Hot water heaters are only designed to last approximately 15 years. Some hot water heaters will only last 10 years. If your hot water heater is older than 10 years, start to look for signs that it has gone bad.

2. Check the underside of the hot water heater. When a hot water heater starts to go bad, the most likely sign is a slow leak. You may not see water visibly dripping from the hot water heater, so look for a trail of rusty water.

3. Examine the hot water heater tank for signs of corrosion. Hot water heaters are made from steel and can rust through. If you notice rust on the hot water heater, you should start thinking about getting a replacement.

4. Look at the appearance of your water. If your hot water starts to take on a rusty or brown colored look that could mean that your hot water heater has gone bad. Your cold water will still run clear if this is the case.

5. Determine if the amount of hot water is insufficient. If you need to keep adjusting the temperature gauge of your hot water heater to have the same amount of hot water, this could mean that the hot water heater has gone bad.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you rule out any other problems with the hot water heater before assuming that it needs to be replaced. Some issues could be caused by a blown out pilot light, build up of sediment or a clog.