Your daily routine most likely involves hot water — taking a shower, washing dishes and doing laundry. You turn on your faucet and, like magic, there’s hot water. It’s easy to take your water heater for granted, until one day you get in the shower and are greeted with an icy, cold stream. How did that happen? Well, most water heaters are designed to last for about 10 years. Don’t wait for it to give up. Look for these warning signs that it may be time to replace your water heater:

Temperature: Is your hot water taking longer to warm up than it used to? Poor heating quality is a sure sign of aging equipment.

Leaks: Check underneath the tank for drips, moisture or a trail of rusty water. When a water heater starts to fail, the first sign may be a slow leak.

Rust: Look for corrosion. Water heaters are made from steel and can rust. Corrosion also reduces the efficiency of your unit.

Sediment: Run the tap. If the cold water runs clear, but your hot water has a rusty brown color or white flecks, which could be a sign of mineral buildup.

If you notice any of these signs or have questions, call NJR Home Services today. We’ll send a trained technician to diagnose the problem.