6 Signs It Is Time to Replace Your Water Heater Hot water is essential for daily life, but many homeowners in the Kansas City metro area don’t consider their water heater until it stops working properly. A cold shower, strange noises, or a puddle near the tank can quickly signal the need for water heater replacement. Not every water heater problem requires a new unit. Some issues can be fixed with water heater repair, especially if the current water heater is relatively new and the damage is minor. However, when repairs become frequent, the old unit shows signs of failure,