Is It Time for a New Water Heater?

Repair or Replace? The Butler Homeowner's Dilemma

Most water heaters last between 8-12 years. If you live in an older home in Butler or Appleton City, your unit might be ticking on borrowed time. Here are 5 signs it's time to upgrade.

1. Rusty Water

If hot water comes out brown or reddish but cold water is clear, your tank is rusting from the inside. This is a ticking time bomb for leaks.

2. Rumbling and Noise

Sediment build-up (common with Missouri's hard water) can harden at the bottom of the tank. The "popping" noise is steam escaping through the sediment layer.

3. Puddle Around the Tank

Visible moisture around the base often means a fracture in the tank. This cannot be repaired; the unit must be replaced immediately to prevent flooding.

4. Lack of Hot Water

If your shower runs cold faster than it used to, a heating element may be failing, or the tank has simply lost efficiency.

5. Age of Unit

Check the serial number sticker. If the unit is over 10 years old, proactive replacement is often cheaper than an emergency call when it bursts.