Tell repair from replace
Work through it in this order:
Is it leaking from the tank itself? Replace. A corroded tank cannot be repaired, and the failure mode is a sudden dump of the full tank onto your floor.
Is it leaking from a fitting, valve or connection? Usually repairable.
No hot water at all? On gas, most often the thermocouple or pilot assembly. On electric, usually a heating element or thermostat. Both are routine repairs.
Not enough hot water, or it runs cold quickly? Often sediment reducing effective tank volume, or a failed lower element. Worth diagnosing before replacing.
Rumbling or popping while heating? Sediment on the tank floor. Flushing may help; if it has been years, it may not.
Rusty hot water? If only the hot side is discoloured, the tank’s anode rod is spent and the tank is corroding. Replacement is close.
The age rule
Past about ten years, weigh any repair over a few hundred dollars against replacement. You are otherwise paying to extend a unit that will fail on its own schedule, and the next failure may be the tank.
If you have hard water
Scale is the main enemy of a water heater in much of Texas. Annual flushing genuinely extends tank life, and if your water is hard enough, a softener pays for itself across the life of the appliance. Check your city’s figure on its city page where we have it.
What to ask for in a quote
- Whether the price includes hauling the old unit away
- Whether it includes a new expansion tank and pan where required
- Whether the permit is included, and who pulls it
- The warranty on the unit and on the labour - they are different
Common questions
How long should a water heater last?
A conventional tank unit typically lasts 8–12 years; tankless units commonly run longer. Hard water shortens both, because scale builds on the heating surface and forces the unit to work harder for the same output.
Is it worth repairing an old tank?
A thermostat, a heating element or a thermocouple is usually worth fixing at any age. A leaking tank is not - once the tank itself has corroded through, it cannot be repaired, and a slow leak becomes a fast one without warning.
Do I need a permit to replace a water heater?
In most Texas cities, yes, and it is usually the plumber who pulls it. A permit means an inspector checks the gas connection, the relief valve and the venting. Skipping it is a problem when you come to sell.