5 Signs Your Water Heater Is About to Fail (And What to Do About It)

By John Webster | Barr Web Industries Inc. | May 2026 Category: Water Heaters · Maintenance · Twin Cities

Most homeowners don't think about their water heater until they're standing in a cold shower at 6 AM. After 25 years servicing homes across Minneapolis and the Twin Cities, I've seen this play out hundreds of times — and almost every time, the warning signs were there weeks or months before the failure.

Here's what to watch for.

1. Your Water Isn't Getting as Hot as It Used to

If you're cranking the thermostat higher just to get a warm shower, your heater is working harder than it should. This is usually the first sign of sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank — a layer of minerals that forces the burner to work overtime and drives up your energy bills in the process.

What to do: Have a plumber flush the tank. If the unit is under 10 years old, a flush and inspection will often buy you several more years. If it's older, start budgeting for a replacement.

2. Rusty or Discoloured Water

If your hot water is coming out brown or has a metallic taste, one of two things is happening: either the tank itself is corroding from the inside, or the anode rod — the sacrificial metal rod that protects the tank — has worn out.

This is one situation where you shouldn't wait. A corroding tank can fail suddenly and cause serious water damage.

What to do: Call a plumber. If the anode rod is the issue, replacing it is a straightforward and inexpensive fix. If the tank is corroding, replacement is the only safe option.

3. Popping or Rumbling Sounds

A water heater should run quietly. If yours is making popping, banging, or rumbling sounds, that's sediment that has hardened and is being disturbed as the water heats up around it. Over time this sediment acts as an insulator, reduces efficiency, and causes the bottom of the tank to overheat — eventually cracking the lining.

What to do: Schedule a flush. If the sounds persist after flushing, the damage to the tank lining may already be done.

4. Water Pooling Around the Base

Any moisture around the base of your water heater is a red flag. Small leaks can come from the fittings or pressure relief valve — both repairable — but if the tank itself is weeping, that's a sign the metal has expanded and cracked due to years of heating cycles.

What to do: Don't ignore it. Even a slow weep can become a flood. A plumber can determine the source quickly and tell you whether it's a repair or a replacement situation.

5. The Unit Is More Than 10–12 Years Old

This one isn't dramatic, but it's the most important. The average lifespan of a tank water heater is 8–12 years. After that, you're not maintaining a water heater — you're managing a liability.

If yours is pushing past a decade, start planning proactively rather than reactively. Replacing a water heater on your schedule is far less disruptive (and less expensive) than an emergency replacement after a failure.

What to do: Check the serial number on your unit — the first four digits usually indicate the month and year of manufacture. If you're not sure how to read it, call us and we'll tell you over the phone.

The Barr Web Bottom Line

Your water heater works hard every single day. A little attention goes a long way — and catching a problem early is almost always cheaper and less stressful than dealing with the aftermath of a failure.

If you're seeing any of these signs, or if your unit is getting up there in age, give us a call. We'll give you a straight answer on whether you need a repair, a flush, or a replacement — no pressure, no upsell.

Call John: (612) 872-0202 Free estimates. Serving Minneapolis and the Twin Cities since 2000.

Barr Web Industries Inc. specialises in water heater service, drain cleaning, leak detection, remodel plumbing, and new construction for residential and light commercial clients across the Twin Cities Metro.