Your water heater works silently every day — until it doesn't. Most homeowners don't think about it until they step into a cold shower or discover a puddle on the utility room floor. But your water heater usually gives you warning signs well before it fails completely.
Here are 7 signs it's time to call a licensed plumber and talk about replacement.
1. It's More Than 10–12 Years Old
The average tank water heater lasts 8–12 years. Tankless units can last 15–20 years with proper maintenance. If yours is approaching or past that range, it's living on borrowed time — even if it still appears to work fine.
You can find the age of your water heater on the manufacturer's label, which encodes the manufacturing date in the serial number. Call us if you're not sure how to read it.
2. Rust-Colored or Discolored Hot Water
Rusty or brownish water coming from your hot taps — but not the cold — is a strong sign that the inside of your tank is corroding. Once corrosion starts on the inside of a steel tank, it won't stop, and the tank will eventually fail and leak.
3. Rumbling, Banging, or Popping Noises
As water heaters age, sediment from hard water builds up at the bottom of the tank. When the burner heats the water, it has to push through that sediment layer — producing rumbling, popping, or banging sounds.
Heavy sediment buildup reduces efficiency, accelerates wear on the tank lining, and can eventually cause overheating and cracks.
4. Water Pooling Around the Base
A puddle around your water heater is never normal. It usually means one of two things: a fitting or connection has a minor leak (repairable), or the tank itself has developed a fracture (replacement required).
Before calling, check the temperature and pressure relief valve and the connections at the top of the tank. If those look dry, the tank body itself is the likely culprit.
5. You're Running Out of Hot Water Faster Than Usual
If your 50-gallon tank used to get the whole family through morning showers — and now it doesn't — sediment buildup is reducing the effective volume of hot water your tank can hold. Alternatively, the heating element (on electric units) or burner may be failing.
6. Visible Corrosion on the Tank or Connections
Look at the top of your water heater. If you see rust or corrosion on the inlet/outlet pipes or on the tank body itself, it's a sign that moisture has been present long enough to do damage. Corrosion on the body can mean pinhole leaks are forming.
7. Your Energy Bills Have Gone Up Unexpectedly
An inefficient water heater works harder to heat the same amount of water — meaning it runs longer and uses more energy. If your gas or electric bill has crept up without a clear reason, your water heater could be the culprit.
Repair vs. Replace: How Do You Decide?
A good rule of thumb: if the repair cost is more than 50% of the cost of a new unit, and the water heater is more than half its expected lifespan, replacement is the smarter investment.
"We always give homeowners an honest assessment. If we can fix it cost-effectively, we say so. But if a new unit is going to save you money and headaches within 2–3 years, we'll tell you that too."
— Hydro Plumbing Team, Tigard, OR
What to Do Next
If your water heater is showing two or more of these signs, it's worth having a licensed plumber take a look. We offer free estimates and same-day service across Washington and Yamhill Counties.
We install tank and tankless water heaters from top brands. Our technicians will walk you through the options and give you a straight price before any work begins.