A tank water heater usually lasts 8 to 12 years. Where yours lands inside that range comes down to three things: the water it heats, how hard it works, and whether anyone has ever flushed it. In Lubbock, hard water pushes a lot of units toward the short end.
The short answer
If your water heater is under eight years old and behaving, leave it alone. Between eight and twelve, start watching it. Past twelve, you are on borrowed time, and planning a replacement is far cheaper than dealing with a flooded garage or closet.
Not sure how old yours is? Look at the label on the side of the tank. The manufacture date is usually printed there or coded into the first characters of the serial number.
Why water heaters in Lubbock wear out sooner
Hard water is common across the Lubbock area. The minerals in it settle to the bottom of the tank as sediment, and that sediment:
- takes up space that should be holding hot water
- sits between the burner or element and the water, so the heater runs longer to do the same job
- makes the tank rumble and pop as water trapped under the crust boils
A tank that is never flushed loses capacity to sediment long before it ever starts to leak.
Signs your water heater is near the end
Rusty or brown hot water
If only the hot tap runs discoloured, the inside of the tank is likely corroding. That does not reverse.
Popping or rumbling noises
That is sediment. A flush can help on a younger unit; on an older one it usually means the damage is done.
Water around the base
A leak from the tank body is not repairable. Shut off the water at the cut-off valve above the tank, turn off the power or gas to the unit, and call.
Hot water runs out faster than it used to
Usually sediment again, sometimes a failed dip tube or thermostat. On a tank past ten years old, it is rarely worth chasing.
Repair or replace?
| Situation | Usually the better call |
|---|---|
| Under 8 years old, one failed part | Repair |
| 8 to 12 years old, repeat problems | Replace |
| Over 12 years old, any problem | Replace |
| Leak from the tank itself | Replace |
How to get more years out of a water heater
- Flush the tank once a year to clear sediment.
- Test the temperature and pressure relief valve.
- Keep the thermostat at a sensible setting rather than maxed out.
- Keep the area around the unit clear so leaks are spotted early.
When it is time to replace it
A new 40-gallon gas or electric water heater through our lease-to-own program is $200 down and $100 a month: 18 months on gas, 19 on electric. Installation, new supply lines, cut-off valves, drain pan and haul-off of the old tank are all included, and the heater is yours at the end of the lease.
Got questions first? The water heater FAQ has 36 answers, or call 806-722-6324 and ask a plumber directly.
