6 Clues Your Water Heater Is Having Trouble

Six clues point to a struggling water heater: inconsistent temperature, odd noises, discolored water, moisture at the base, rising energy use and old age. Spot them early and you can repair or replace on your schedule.

Why this matters before winter hits

Your water heater is one of the hardest working appliances in the house, and in our climate it handles very cold incoming water for much of the year. If it fails in January with guests in the house, you want to have seen it coming.

Here are six clues, in rough order of how soon they usually appear. If you have read our shorter post on water heater warning signs, treat this as the deeper checklist.

Clue 1: Temperature swings

Water that runs hot, then cold, then hot again can point to a failing thermostat, a bad heating element, or on a gas or propane unit a dirty burner or a weak thermocouple. On oil-fired indirect systems it may be a zone or boiler problem. Note when it happens, such as during a laundry load or only in the morning, and tell the technician.

If you have a tankless unit, temperature swings often come from scale in the heat exchanger, which an annual descaling helps prevent. Tell the technician what type of water heater you own and what fuel it burns, since the cause differs.

Clue 2: Noise from the tank

Rumbling, popping or sizzling noises are the sound of water trapped under sediment. This scale is common in homes with hard well water. It insulates the water from the heat source, wastes fuel and overheats the bottom of the tank, shortening its life.

Clue 3: Discolored or smelly water

Brown or orange hot water and a metallic taste suggest corrosion inside the tank. A rotten egg smell is usually a reaction between bacteria and the anode rod. Run a bucket of hot water to see if the color clears, and compare it with the cold tap.

If you have well water, ask whether it has been tested, as iron and sulfur in the supply can cause color and odor issues even with a healthy tank. A technician can often tell which it is by comparing the hot and cold taps.

Clue 4: Moisture and rust at the base

Dampness, mineral crust or rust streaks around fittings or on the floor mean something is seeping. Fittings and valves can be repaired, but a tank that is weeping from its seam is finished. See what to do about leaks.

Clue 5: Higher energy bills

If your electric, gas, propane or oil use creeps up without a change in habits, a scaled or failing water heater may be burning more to deliver the same hot water. Standby loss from an old, poorly insulated tank also adds up in a cold basement.

Combustion water heaters also need good venting and combustion air. If you smell exhaust or see soot at the draft hood, shut the unit down and call us. Keep the area around the heater clear of storage.

Clue 6: Age and what to do

As a rule of thumb, tanks last roughly 8 to 12 years. If yours is in that range and showing any clue above, plan the replacement. We repair and maintain all brands, and install RUUD tank, tankless and hybrid heat pump water heaters. See hot water heaters, and call (518) 719-5614 or book on our 24/7 line at (518) 333-7431. Tune-ups start at $198.89, and our maintenance programs help extend life.

Plan your replacement before the old tank fails and you will have time to compare tank, tankless and hybrid options on price, fuel and space, instead of buying whatever can be installed that day.

Frequently asked questions