What are expert tips for when to replace your water heater?

Write the installation date on the water heater with a marker. You'll thank yourself in 8 years when you're trying to figure out how old it is. Flush the tank annually to reduce sediment buildup -- this extends the life of the unit by years. Replace the anode rod every 4-5 years. It's a $20-$40 part that protects the entire tank. Start shopping before the heater fails. Emergency replacements limit your choices and cost more.

When to Replace Your Water Heater | The Plumbing Directory

Overview

Water heaters don't fail gracefully. One day it's working fine, the next you've got 40 gallons of water on the basement floor. The average tank water heater lasts 8-12 years, and there are warning signs before it goes. Catching those signs early lets you plan a replacement on your schedule instead of in an emergency -- and emergency installations always cost more.

What to Know

Age

Check the serial number on the rating plate. Most manufacturers encode the date in the first few characters. If your tank water heater is 8-12 years old, start planning. Tankless units last 15-20 years but their heat exchangers can scale up and lose efficiency around year 10-12.

Rust-Colored Water

If hot water comes out rusty or brownish, the tank's inner lining is failing. The anode rod -- a sacrificial metal rod that protects the tank from corrosion -- is likely depleted. Once the lining goes, the tank is rusting from the inside. You can try replacing the anode rod, but if the tank is already 8+ years old, replacement is the better call.

Rumbling or Popping Sounds

Sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank over time. When the burner heats the sediment, trapped water underneath creates rumbling or popping noises. Flushing the tank can help early on, but heavy sediment buildup means the tank is less efficient and the bottom is taking heat damage.

Leaking from the Tank

A puddle around the base of the tank means the inner tank has corroded through. This is not repairable. Once you see tank leaks (not from fittings or the T&P valve -- check those first), replacement is immediate. Don't wait -- a full rupture can happen any time.

Not Enough Hot Water

If you're running out of hot water faster than usual, the lower heating element (electric) or the dip tube (gas) may have failed. These are repairable on newer tanks. On older tanks, it's often a sign the overall system is declining.

Rising Energy Bills

A water heater with heavy sediment buildup works harder to heat the same amount of water. If your energy bills have crept up and the heater is aging, efficiency loss is likely the cause. A new heater can cut water heating costs by 10-20%.

Pro Tips

Write the installation date on the water heater with a marker. You'll thank yourself in 8 years when you're trying to figure out how old it is.
Flush the tank annually to reduce sediment buildup -- this extends the life of the unit by years.
Replace the anode rod every 4-5 years. It's a $20-$40 part that protects the entire tank.
Start shopping before the heater fails. Emergency replacements limit your choices and cost more.

Bottom Line

If your water heater is 8-12 years old and showing rust, noise, or leaks, start planning the replacement now. A planned swap costs less, gives you time to choose the right unit, and prevents the kind of emergency flood that ruins a weekend and a basement.

When to Replace Your Water Heater