Unfortunately, water heaters break. Usually, there are indications that a water heater has reached the end of its lifespan or is in need of repair. Leaks or signs of rust are just a couple of things to look for. However, most homeowners don’t take time out of their daily routine to inspect their hot water heater. For most people, the first indication that there is a problem is when they suddenly don’t have any hot water. This is when you realize that it’s time to call an emergency plumber. Most of the time, plumbers recommend replacing a hot water heater because they’ve exceeded their typical lifespan of around 8 to 10 years. Sometimes a plumber may recommend a repair but only if they feel as though it makes sense financially.