Water heaters are something you kind of take for granted...until it stops working. You can picture taking a nice, hot shower when suddenly the water turns ice cold. Kind of made you shudder, didn't it? Checking out your water heater every so often can save you a world of trouble, so here are a few tips. Check the water heater for signs of leakage, rust or other problems. Look at the hardware and other parts and see if there is any corrosion. Use a bright flashlight to inspect underneath and around the bottom, and/or you can run your hand all around and under the base to see if you feel the water. A typical, tank-type water heater lasts 10-15 years depending on the model, level of maintenance and the kind of water running through it. Hard water can cause mineral deposits to build up and impede water flow, so it helps to clean off any accumulated materials occasionally. Sediment builds up on the bottom of the hot water heater tank but can be flushed out every so often by releasing a