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It's easy to take your water heater for granted. It's easy until you wake up one morning to nothing but cold water hitting you in the shower. But by then it could be too late and time to replace your water heater.

Thankfully, there are a couple telltale signs you can keep an eye out for to help you determine if it's time to replace your water heater before your rude awakening.

How old is your water heater?

Before you even start thinking of replacing your water heater, consider how old your current system is.

Your typical tank-type water heater generally can last you about 10 years. But, with proper care and maintenance you can extend or even double the life span of your system.

If your system is less than 10 years old and has been properly maintained, a total replacement may not be necessary. It could be simply solved with a checkup or repair.

However, if it's past 10+ years, there could be more significant issues that require a replacement. Here are some signs to watch out for.

Loud, strange noises

Probably the most blatant sign that something is wrong with your water heater is something that you'll hear rather than see.

If you start hearing loud, strange creaks, bangs or whines coming from your system, it's time to call in backup.

Noises from your water heater could be a couple different reasons. It could possibly be sediment within your system making contact with heating elements, literally burning it away. Over time, this sediment is heated and reheated and can harden and cause damage to the interior.

Often a simple flush can resolve noise issues, but if they persist it's a sign of a larger issue.

Leaking

If you begin to notice standing water around your water heater, it's a sign there could be a leak or crack in your system.

If this is the case, there is no quick fix and you should call a professional right away! The faster you can have this issue resolved, the better. Letting an issue like this persist can lead to even more problems like flooding and water damage.

Cracks can be caused by age and repeated expansion and contraction of the tank brought on by heating and cooling and heating and cooling. However, make sure to check if the leak is coming from the tank or a pipe. This could be the difference between a quick, cheaper fix or an entire installation.

Rusty water from the tap

When any metal object gets older it can begin to rust. Water heaters are the same.

A sign of an aging water heater is rusty water coming from your tap. If the inside of your water heater is rusty, it will become apparent rather quickly.

However, don't just jump to conclusions if you begin to experience a rusty tasting water. It could be an issue with your water softener. If you've concluded that is not the water softener, your next course of action should be to call someone to check the water heater.

If your water heater is getting up there in age or you've been experiencing any of these issues, it's time to bring in a professional. Chapman Heating | Air Conditioning | Plumbing is your source for qualified water heater repair and plumbing installation contractors.

We can let you know if all you need is a simple repair or help you find the best and most efficient replacement for your home.