Water Heater Inspection

How to do it

Unit is 10+ years old and past warranty. Have a pro check the anode rod and pressure valve.

For yours: 50 gal • Electric

What this is keeping at bay

The things that tend to go wrong with water heater, and what they cost once they do.

• Water heater leakingWhere it leaks tells you how serious it is. Leaks at the fittings, valves or the T&P discharge pipe are often repairable. Water coming from the bottom of the tank itself usually means the tank has corroded through — that isn't repairable, and the unit needs replacing before it fails completely.Urgent — days matter · Some steps you can try · $150–$2,500
• No hot waterOn a gas water heater, no hot water usually means the pilot light or igniter has failed, or the gas supply is interrupted. On an electric unit, it's most often a tripped breaker or a burned-out heating element. If you have some hot water but it runs out fast, that's a different problem — usually a failed lower element or heavy sediment.Address soon · Some steps you can try · $150–$700
• Water heater rumbling or poppingPopping, rumbling or crackling from a water heater is almost always sediment. Minerals settle to the bottom of the tank, water gets trapped underneath and boils through the layer, and that's the sound you hear. Flushing the tank usually resolves it, and doing it yearly prevents it.Monitor · Some steps you can try · $100–$300

What this work costs

Published typical ranges, not a quote for your job.

• Water heater replacement costReplacing a standard 40–50 gallon tank water heater typically runs about $1,200–$2,500 installed, with most homeowners landing near $1,700. Tankless conversions cost considerably more — often $3,000–$5,500 — because they usually require gas line, venting and electrical changes.$1,700

The thing this belongs to

Water HeaterRheem · Garage · installed Oct 2, 2015