When your showers run out of hot water quickly, or when water takes too long to warm up, you know your water heater needs to be looked at.

Here are a few warning signs that your water heater needs repair:

• Loud noises. Over the years, sediment builds up inside the bottom of the water tank. The sediment hardens from the temperature fluctuations (cooling and warming periods). This causes the water heater to become less efficient.
• Metallic taste or smell from water. This is a sure-sign of rust, either from the galvanized pipes or the interior of the tank. To pinpoint whether the rust is coming from your pipes or tank, drain several buckets of water from the tank from the hot water side. After several buckets, if the water is still coming out rusty, the source is likely the tank and not the pipes.
• Old Age. Most water heaters last around 10 years. If your water heater is over a decade old, chances are it is running on borrowed time.
• Leaking. It’s commonplace for older tanks to develop fractures or leaks. Speak to a plumber if you see signs of leaking to prevent further problems.