It is very nice to be able to turn the water to hot and jump in and take a shower. There is a small fraction of people in the world that have the opportunity to take a hot shower. Having hot water is one of the luxuries that people take for granted until they do not have hot water. Having a water heater is so nice, but it can truly be hard to decipher when it is going out. A water heater that is going out is something that needs to be replaced sooner rather than later. Here are just a few different ways that you can diagnose a failing water heater. 

Inconsistant Heating

One way to tell that your water heater is starting to get old and need replacing is when the water has a hard time staying consistent. You may turn the water to your favorite temperature to take your shower, and it is actually much cooler than usual. The water can also be much hotter than it has been in the past. If you are trying to wash your hands or doing the dishes in the sink, you may notice that the water temperature fluctuates while you are doing the dishes. If you notice this trend, it is most likely your water heater.

Overall Lack Of Hot Water

When a hot water heater is newly installed it can give you a great deal of hot water. However, when a water heater is starting to get old and needs replaced The sediments that have built up in the hot water heater make it very hard for the heater to continually give you hot water. Not only will your hot water heater give you inconsistent heating of water, the hot water may not last very long. You may end up fighting for a shower, or having to wait till after the dishwasher or washing machine is done to have your shower. So, if you notice that you do not have the hot water supply that you used to, it is time to call your technician and get a new water heater installed.

Noise

When your water heater is old there is going to be a layer of sediment that collects at the bottom of the unit. When this happens it can make a loud thumping or rumbling noise. This means that your unit is pretty close to the end of its life. When this layer of sediment is at the bottom of the unit your water heater is going to have a much harder time heating the water and can therefore use a great deal more electricity or gas to heat the water.  

For more information, contact companies like Do It Right Plumbing.