It's a problem nobody wants to face, especially in the middle of a shower when the water turns ice cold. When a water heater fails to the point of needing repair or replacement, nobody in the house will find relief until the job is done.

How to Tell When You Need a New Water Heater

Don't assume that you need to have the whole appliance replaced if you experience one faulty incident. It's important to discern all the factors before you determine what the purchase and installation of a heater will cost. Note the following before you make that decision:

• Age of current heater: heaters generally last an average of ten to twelve years. If you have a relatively new heater you may just need to call a plumber to inspect it.
• Water quality: if you turn on a faucet and the water has a rusty or dirty color, this could be a sign something is wrong.
• Persistent change in temperature: if you're used to a certain level of heat when you shower and detect something is amiss, this could indicate problems
• Water pooling at the base of the heater: an obvious sign of leaks, you should definitely be on the phone with a plumber if you see this

Hire a Plumber to Install Your New Heater

While you may be tempted to handle this job on your own, it is strongly recommended to hire a plumbing mechanic to install or repair your heater. Adjusting a water heater to work in your home requires more than simply setting it in place and affixing the proper pipes. It is a risky job that, if done incorrectly, could require even more time to fix.