How many years does a hot water heater last?
Hot water heaters tend to last between 10 and 12 years. Like any mechanical machine, hot water heaters contain moving parts, high temperatures and pressures, and metals and other materials that fail. They won’t last forever. If you begin to hear telltale signs of failure like whining, knocking, creaking, or banging, your water heater is most likely on its way out and needs to be replaced.
What are the signs your hot water heater is going out?
Listen for sounds like rattling, clanking, whining, creaking or knocking. These indicate some mechanical stress or fault occurring inside the water heater. Because water heaters tend to last between 10 and 12 years, it’s wise to preemptively replace the unit if it’s old and begins showing signs of trouble. Other signs include leaking, no hot water and discolored water.