It’s no fun going without hot water. That’s especially true when the seasons change and temperatures take a dip.

But like nearly every other appliance in your house, water heaters fail. And that can lead to cold showers — or even worse, a water leak.

Here are 6 telltale signs you have a failing water heater:

1. You only have cold water.
2. Your water gets warm, but never hot.
3. Your water heater makes a rumbling noise.
4. Your hot water is rusty, muddy or discolored.
5. Your water has a metallic smell or taste.
6. Water is leaking around your water heater.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar… it’s probably time to call a plumber. Wondering why your water heater is failing? Here are some of the reasons – and what you can do help prevent a failure:

1. Internal rust: Sacrificial anodes are highly active metal rods that help prevent your water heater from corroding. Anode rods are consumed in the place of the metal they protect – hence the name “sacrificial.” Over time, they need to be replaced.
   The fix: They typically last several years, but it’s a good idea to check your anode rods every year – or bring in a professional to take a look. If they look worn down, it’s time to replace them.
2. Sediment buildup: When water is heated, mineral deposits separate and settle onto the bottom of your water heater tank. Sediment builds up over time, reducing your water heater efficiency and eventually causing damage. This is especially an issue if you have hard water.
   The fix: Flush your water heater at least once a year.
3. High water pressure: Water pressure that’s too high can damage your water heater, as well as your pipes and other appliances. If you notice water leaking from the overflow pipe on the side of your water heater, you may have an issue with excessive pressure.
   The fix: Keep the water pressure on your heater no higher than 80 psi, and consider replacing your temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve.
4. Corrosive fumes: In order for combustion to occur, water heaters need to draw in air. Problems can occur if the air quality is poor. Especially dangerous is corrosive air, which can corrode your tank and lead to water heater failure.
   The fix: Keep corrosive substances like ammonia and bleach far away from your water heater.
5. Wrong size heater: Water heaters come in a variety of sizes to accommodate the water usage of all the people and appliances in your home. If you buy a water heater that’s too small for your needs, it will need to work more than it should – and that can lead it to breakdown from overuse.
   The fix: Talk with a plumber or appliance expert to make sure you buy a water heater that’s the right size for your household.
6. Old age: Water heaters typically last about 8 to 12 years. Any longer than that, and you’re probably on borrowed time. If you’re having issues with rust, a bad heating element or a pilot light that won’t stay lit… old age may be the problem.
   The fix: If your water heater is at the end of its life span, consider proactively replacing it with a newer, more energy-efficient model.

Types of hot water heaters

If you’re replacing a water heater, you’ll quickly learn that they come in all different shapes and sizes. There are plenty of choices, so research the option that’s right for you.

Gas water heaters use natural gas to heat the water you need quickly, while electric water heaters use electric coils. Tankless heaters can be electric or gas, but instead of heating an entire tank, they heat water on demand.

For the most part, homeowners are responsible for what falls into their own yard. So, if a storm causes your neighbor’s tree to fall in your yard, your homeowners insurance could help cover the cost of removing the tree and remedying the damage it caused on your property, after your deductible.

The same is true in reverse: If a tree on your property falls in your neighbor’s yard, your neighbor should contact his or her insurance company to determine what type of coverage is available for damage or cleanup in their yard.

In most cases, neighbors are able to work things out without too much trouble. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to file a homeowners insurance claim. Your homeowners insurance may or may not cover the cost of tree cleanup, depending on your policy and the company you work with.

Good news: Homeowners insurance from ERIE typically pays for the cost (subject to sublimits) of removal of fallen trees if it’s due to a covered peril, such as a storm.

If there’s ever an issue between neighbors, you can rely on your claims adjuster to help straighten everything out.

The Claims Process

If a tree falls on your house, the first thing to do, if it’s safe, is to try to prevent further damage to your home and property. Make sure to take some photos to document what happened.

Then call your insurance agent, who can explain your options and help you understand if and how to file a claim. When you file a claim, a claims adjuster will come by to evaluate the damage and explain how your homeowners coverage comes into play. It’s recommended that you call your claims adjuster before you contract to have the tree removed.

Sometimes trees fall on cars. If it’s not safe or possible to remove the tree from the car yourself, you should call a professional to remove it. (Again, talk to your insurance agent and a claims adjuster first and take a few photos of the fallen tree on your car.) Depending on the damage and terms of your insurance coverage, the optional comprehensive coverage you may have under your auto policy could provide coverage for the loss.

Preventing Tree Damage

Taking preventive measures can potentially help you avoid any this situation in the first place.

Start by looking for signs of distress such as dead limbs, cracks in the trunk or major limbs, leaning to one side and branches that are close to a house or power line. Mushroom growth on the roots or bark can also signal trouble.

Homeowners should be aware of the health of their trees. It’s possible for you to be held responsible for resulting damage to your neighbor’s house or property, if your tree falls due (in whole or part) to your own neglect. One of the best things to do is to regularly have large trees trimmed. (The Tree Care Industry Association lists accredited tree care professionals.)

What if you were asked to make a list of everything inside your home from memory? Chances are, you’d end up forgetting a thing or two… right?

Well, if you ever have to file a homeowners insurance claim after a fire or major disaster, you could be asked to do just that. That’s why you need a home inventory.

A home inventory is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a list of all your personal possessions, along with their estimated value. And it’s a great way to help protect the contents of your home.

Estimating the replacement cost of walls, doors and windows is a pretty straightforward task. But even though the items inside your home are covered, it can be harder to document the value of that baseball card collection or your favorite pair of shoes.

It takes some time and effort, but there are several reasons why a home inventory can give you peace of mind.

Why It Helps to Have a Home Inventory

• Choosing the right coverage: The worst time to find out you don’t have enough insurance coverage is after a loss. Having an accurate list of all your possessions is a helpful start when you and your insurance agent decide how much insurance coverage you need. After all, you have to know the value of your items to insure them properly.
• Filing a claim faster: When disaster strikes, it can be difficult to remember everything in your home that was lost or damaged. But if you have a home inventory, your work is already done. So, you can spend your time on what matters most – getting your life back on track.
• Applying for financial aid:After a disaster, you may qualify for certain tax breaks or disaster assistance. But without a list of your belongings, it will be difficult to demonstrate your financial losses. A home inventory will make the process of proving what you’ve lost much easier. So, making one list now can save you from piles of unnecessary paperwork later.

How to Start Your Home Inventory

Creating a record of everything in your home probably sounds daunting. But there’s no need to get overwhelmed. Before you start digging through those drawers and cabinets, follow these tips to make creating your home inventory more manageable:

• Choose a starting point. Don’t get overwhelmed trying to think of every item in your house at once. Instead, try starting with your most valuable items, or work through your house one room at a time. To help you get started, we created a home inventory checklist you can download.
• Take pictures or video. Capturing pictures of each item or recording a video of an entire room is a great way to document your items. Be sure to label your photos with any additional information and narrate your video to describe the contents as you record.
• Use an app. There are plenty of mobile apps designed to create a room-by-room record of your home inventory. Some have different features that allow you to take pictures, enter comments and backup all your information to the cloud. Sortly, Memento Database and Nest Egg are a few popular apps for homes and businesses.
• Categorize clothing. Unless they’re especially valuable, there’s no need to document every T-shirt or pair of pants. Instead, write down “10 pairs of jeans,” and tally your clothing by categories.
• Keep your receipts. Having documentation of your purchases, like a receipt or purchase order, helps provide an accurate value of their replacement cost.
• Record serial numbers. Writing down the serial numbers of your electronics and major appliances are a great reference for insurers.

Erie Insurance wants you to sleep well at night, every night. And for us, that means you can feel secure about your home and the things you’ve worked so hard to get. So relax, knowing we’ve got you, your home and your investment covered.

Tropical Storm Debby – Helpful Information to Prepare

Tropical Storm Debby is expected to travel northward, impacting portions of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania later this week.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Debby is expected to produce potentially historic rainfall totals of 10 to 20 inches, with maximum amounts of 25 inches, bringing areas of catastrophic flooding across portions of southeast Georgia, the eastern half of South Carolina and southeast North Carolina through Friday. From North Carolina through portions of the Mid-Atlantic States, 4-8 inches of rainfall, with local amounts up to 12 inches are expected through Sunday morning.

If you experience a loss related to the storm and need to file a claim, Erie Insurance and your Agent are here to help. For claims service during evenings and weekends, call (800) 367-3743.

We encourage you to stay off the roads during heavy rains and follow these tips to reduce damage and stay safe:
• Clear the lawn. Bring in garbage cans, lawn furniture, bikes, toys, hanging plants and lawn decorations. If possible, remove the swings on your child’s swing set to prevent unnecessary damage.

• Bring valuables upstairs. Move furnishings and valuables to the highest point in your house to avoid losing an irreplaceable item to water damage.

• Prepare extra lights. Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy in case of loss of power. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.

• Unplug TVs, computers and appliances. If you lose power, turn off and unplug all major appliances, including those attached to a smart plug or surge protector, to avoid a power surge when the power is turned back on.

• Do not drive or walk through standing water. Water can be deeper than it appears, and two feet of water can sweep away most cars and six inches of moving water can sweep you away when walking.

• Prepare an emergency kit with basic first aid supplies, bottled water, shelf-stable food, blankets, etc. For a full list of what to include, read our blog on must-have items for you home emergency kit.