Water heater - near end of life

What it is:

A standard, tank-style water heater will last an average of 8-10 years. Of course, the actual lifespan of your water heater depends on things like the type of heater, quality, and maintenance history. As your water heater approaches the end, you’ll start to notice things like drops in water temperature, banging or rumbling noises inside the unit, tinted hot water, or leaks.

What it means:

The obvious danger of your water heater going out is that your house will be out of hot water until you get a replacement hooked up. The not-so-obvious risks are more dangerous. If you wait too long to replace the heater, it could develop serious leaks that could cause extensive water damage to your home.

How to fix it:

The process of disconnecting and hauling away your old water heater and installing a new one is tedious and time consuming. Lots of moving parts, including working with both electricity and water lines, make this the kind of job that is well-suited for a professional. If you do decide to take on this project yourself, here’s a step-by-step guide for how to do so.

Frequency:

11.1% of home inspections report water heaters nearing end of life

Average repair cost: 

$1,235