Wouldn’t it be great if all of the essentials in your home lasted forever? As it is, though, heaters, air conditioners, plumbing components, and water heaters take on a lot of wear and tear, which means these systems will need replacement in a matter of time. The problem is that it can be so tough to tell when any of these hidden components in your home, like a water heater, will need replacement.

You need your water heater to work year round—whether it’s cold or 100°F outside—which means it can take on a lot of wear and tear over the years. Because it’s hidden from view, you might need a bit of help knowing when it’s showing signs of failing so that you can schedule that replacement.