How do I know if my water heater is going out?

Common signs are water around the base, rusty hot water, popping or rumbling while heating, hot water running out faster than before, and an age of ten years or more.

Should I repair or replace a 10-year-old water heater?

At ten years or older, replacement usually makes more sense than a major repair — and a leaking tank can't be repaired. Under about eight years, part repairs are often worth it.

How Long Do Water Heaters Last in Colorado?

A standard tank water heater typically lasts about 8 to 12 years; tankless units can last 15 to 20 with regular descaling. Along the Front Range, hard water tends to push tanks toward the shorter end of that range unless they're maintained.

Why hard water shortens tank life

Minerals in hard water settle to the bottom of the tank as sediment. The burner or lower element has to heat through that layer, which makes it work harder and can overheat the bottom of the tank. Hard water also uses up the anode rod — the sacrificial metal rod that protects the tank lining from corrosion — faster than the manufacturer assumed. Once the anode is gone, the tank itself starts to corrode.

How to tell how old yours is

Look at the label on the side of the tank. The serial number usually encodes the manufacture date — often a two-digit year and a two-digit week or a letter for the month, depending on the brand. If you can't decode it, send us a photo of the label.

Signs your water heater is near the end

Water pooling around the base, or a drip from the tank itself
Rusty or discolored hot water
Popping or rumbling sounds while it heats (sediment)
Hot water runs out faster than it used to
It's 10 years old or more

How to make it last longer

Flush the tank about once a year to clear sediment.
Check the anode rod every few years and replace it before it's fully consumed. It's an inexpensive part compared to a new tank.
Consider a water softener. Softened water dramatically reduces scale in the tank, fixtures, and valves.
Descale tankless units on the schedule the manufacturer recommends; hard water scales the heat exchanger.

Repair or replace?

Usually worth repairing if the unit is under about eight years old and the problem is a part — a thermocouple, element, thermostat, or gas valve. Usually worth replacing if it's ten or more years old, or if the tank itself is leaking; a leaking tank can't be repaired. More on repair vs. replacement.

No hot water right now?

Call or text (720) 818-5569. Tell us gas or electric and roughly how old it is. Most replacements are done the same day we quote them.

By Gabriel Singer, owner of Singer Plumbing Co. · Updated October 6, 2026

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