Water Heater Leaks: Warning Signs And Response

Eight to twelve years

That is the working life of a standard tank heater in Montgomery County's mineral-heavy water. Check the serial number on the data plate; most manufacturers encode the build date in the first four characters.

Warning signs before failure

Tanks rarely fail without notice:

• Rumbling or popping during heating cycles
• Rust-colored water at the hot tap
• Moisture or corrosion at the tank base
• Dripping from the temperature and pressure relief valve

Attic installations raise the stakes

A garage failure means a wet slab. An attic failure means a fifty-gallon release directly above your living space, taking out insulation, ceilings, walls and flooring on the way down. Attic units need a functioning pan, a drain line and a leak sensor.