Home / Signs it’s failing
Signs your water heater is failing
Which ones are a repair, which ones mean replace.
- Water pooling at the base. If it’s coming from the tank body, the tank is done. Shut off the cold water valve and call.
- Rusty or metallic hot water. Corrosion has started inside. If only the hot side is brown, the tank is the likely source.
- Rumbling or popping. Sediment has hardened on the bottom and the burner or elements are working through it. A flush helps a young tank. On an old one, it’s a warning.
- Age past about 10 years. Look at the serial number on the label. Many tanks fail between 8 and 12 years.
- Not enough hot water, or it runs out sooner than it used to. Sediment takes up volume, or an element or dip tube has failed.
- A pilot that won’t stay lit. Often a thermocouple. It’s a repair, but have it looked at.
What to do first
Look for a leak you can trace to a fitting or the relief valve. Those are usually repairs. A leak from the tank body is a replacement. If you’re not sure, text us a photo of the heater and its label.
Where to find the age: the serial number on the label often encodes the month and year. Send us the photo and we’ll read it for you.
Not sure if it needs a repair or a new tank?
Call or text. Send a photo of the label on the side of your heater and we'll tell you what we'd do.