October 15, 2026
Most tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years, and tankless units can go 15 to 20 with regular maintenance. If yours is getting up there in age, it's worth having it inspected before it fails on you — usually at the worst possible time.
Rusty or discolored water, especially when it only happens with hot water, often points to corrosion inside the tank itself. A water softener or filtration system can rule out supply-line causes, but if the tank is the source, replacement is the safer call.
Popping, rumbling, or banging noises from the tank usually mean sediment has built up on the bottom and is hardening around the heating element. Flushing the tank can help early on, but once the noise is constant, the unit is working harder than it should.
Any moisture or active leaking around the base of the tank is a sign the inner tank has failed. A leaking water heater won't repair itself, and waiting can mean water damage to the surrounding floor and walls.
If your water temperature swings between hot and lukewarm, or your energy bills have crept up without an obvious reason, your water heater may be losing efficiency. A newer, properly sized unit often pays for itself in lower utility costs.
If any of this sounds familiar, give Andrews Plumbing a call. We'll take a look, tell you honestly whether a repair makes sense, and get a replacement installed quickly if it doesn't.