You know the time is coming… After all, you’ve had your hot water heater for some time now. If you suspect that your water heater is on its way out, take a moment to check for these three common signs.

Check these three items to see if your hot water heater needs to be replaced.

#1 Is there a Red Tint to Your Hot Water?

The river runs red (rusty water). If your water is reddish/brown and weird looking, it could be due to an old water heater. A rusty old water heater is more than just an eyesore.

#2 Check the Age of Your Unit

Save the memories for the scrapbook (it’s time to get rid of it). The average water heater has a life of 6-12 years. You should be able to check the age of your water heater by inspecting its label; assuming it has one of course.

3) Is there Water Pooling Around Your Unit?

A small dog could do laps around the water heater (water pooling around unit). The most obvious sign of a leaking water heater is water pooling around the unit. As the unit gets older, you’re more likely to experience problems. While the leak could be coming from the drain valve (and can be easily fixed), your unit is on its last legs if the leak is from the tank itself.