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Signs your water heater is near the end

Replacing a heater before it fails costs the same as replacing it after, minus the water damage and the cold showers.

1. It is getting old

Tank water heaters commonly last around 8 to 12 years, and very hard water like ours tends to push that toward the low end. The manufacture date is usually hidden in the serial number on the label. Search the brand name plus "serial number date" to decode it.

2. Rumbling or popping

That noise is water trapped under a layer of mineral sediment at the bottom of the tank, boiling as the burner heats it. It means a lot of sediment has built up.

3. Rusty or brown hot water

If only the hot water is discolored, the inside of the tank may be rusting. Check both hot and cold taps to be sure.

4. Water around the base

See what to do when a water heater leaks. A leak from the tank body means replacement.

5. Hot water runs out faster than it used to

Sediment takes up room in the tank, so there is less hot water to go around.

6. Repairs are adding up

A common rule of thumb: if a repair costs more than about half the price of a new heater and the heater is past 8 or so years, replace it.

7. Rust on the fittings or the tank jacket

Corrosion on the outside often means leaks are close.

Repair or replace?

Thermocouples, heating elements, thermostats, gas valves and relief valves are all replaceable parts. The tank itself is not. If the tank is sound and young, repair it. If the tank is leaking or old, replace it. See what replacement costs.

Common questions

More guides

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• No hot water: what to check first
• Las Vegas hard water and your water heater
• Tank or tankless in Las Vegas?
• What water heater replacement costs
• Do you need a permit to replace a water heater here?