5 Signs You’re Ready to Replace Your Water Heater
Water heaters are modern household appliances that require regular, professional maintenance and occasional replacement as they age. These appliances help run your home and provide hot water to your showers, sinks, and washing machines, which makes caring for them essential.

Our Advantage Air HVAC team can help you with water heater replacement near Lexington, KY, and share five signs it’s time to call for water heater services.
1. Feeling the Hot Water Run Out Quickly
You’re five minutes into your shower when the hot water you’re luxuriating in turns frigid. This sudden unpleasantness is a clear sign that you need a new water heater.
Running out of hot water quickly can also be because the water heater isn’t the right size for your household or because it’s older. When you work with our Advantage Air HVAC team, we can get you the right-sized water heater for your home and household size, making cold showers a thing of the past.
2. Hearing Loud and Strange Noises
If your water heater is thudding, knocking, gurgling, or rumbling, it’s likely filled with sediment. Sediment is minerals from a fresh-water supply building up in your system, and without removing it, over time, it may:
- Cause leaking.
- Create odd sounds.
- Make showers cold.
- Shorten the lifespan of your water heater.
If it has been building up for a long time, you may need to replace it because all that knocking around breaks pieces down. Schedule a regular flush to remove deposits and prevent corrosion.
3. Seeing Puddles Near Your Water Heater
Leaks near your water system don’t mean you need a new dehumidifier. Instead, they indicate your water heater might be nearing the end of its lifespan and require replacement immediately. While it might seem like just a little bit of water, it suggests that the water pressure is off or the valve isn’t working correctly, potentially leading to a water tank explosion.
If you’re concerned about this, look for leaks or corrosion on the tank's side.
4. Noticing the Water Color is Off
If your water tastes metallic, has an orange hue, or leaves a reddish-orange sheen on your skin or hair, your water heater isn’t performing correctly. It could mean a piece requires replacing or the tank is rusting. Corrosion could lead to your water tank bursting, so it needs to be taken care of immediately.
Cloudy water is another sign that your water heater requires professional attention and services because it could indicate sediment build-up.
5. Having an Older Water Heater
The average service life of a water heater is between eight and 12 years. We can possibly replace some parts of your water heater to extend its lifespan. However, the age of your water heater could mean replacement pieces are no longer available, and you need to invest in a new system.
Various factors can affect your water heater’s life span, such as:
- Maintenance schedules.
- Water quality.
- Size and location.
- Age.
When Can You Save My Water Heater?
Our expert team can save your water heater in a few instances, usually by repairing or replacing different parts.
During water heater services, replaceable parts can include:
- Valves.
- Motors.
- Thermostats.
- Burner assembly and heating elements.
Schedule Your Water Heater Replacement Near Lexington, KY
For water heater services and more, our Advantage Air HVAC team near Lexington, KY, can help. We’ll service your water heater or find the right water heater replacement. We’re committed to keeping your home running smoothly and cost-efficiently.
Contact us online or call (859) 559-6409 if the temperature in your home isn’t quite right or you’re seeing puddles where they shouldn’t be. Advantage Air HVAC is located in Lexington, KY. We proudly serve the greater Lexington area, including Georgetown, Paris, Winchester, and Frankfort.