5 signs your water heater is about to fail
By Priya Anand
A failed water heater is one of the most common emergency calls we get — and one of the most preventable. Here’s what to watch for.
1. Rusty or discolored hot water
If only the hot side runs brown, the tank is likely corroding from the inside. Once rust starts, the clock is ticking.
2. Rumbling or popping noises
That’s sediment hardening at the bottom of the tank. It makes the heater work harder, raises your bills, and shortens its life. An annual flush prevents most of it.
3. Water around the base
Even a small puddle means a slow leak or a failing pressure-relief valve. Tanks don’t heal — a weep becomes a flood.
4. Not enough hot water
If you’re running cold faster than you used to, sediment or a failing element is stealing your capacity.
5. It’s over 10 years old
Most tank heaters last 8–12 years. If yours is in that range and showing any of the above, plan the replacement now.
The smart move
Replacing on your terms costs the same as an emergency swap — minus the cold showers and the water damage. If your heater is ticking these boxes, book a check-up before it picks the worst possible morning to quit.