What are the signs that a water heater is failing or needs to be replaced?

• <div><p>Several signs indicate your water heater may be failing or in need of replacement. Key indicators include:</p><ul><li><p><b>Age:</b> A water heater older than ten years is approaching the end of its typical lifespan.</p></li><li><p><b>Water Quality:</b> If you notice rusty or discolored water from your hot water faucets, or a foul odor similar to rotten eggs or sulfur, it can signal internal corrosion.</p></li><li><p><b>Unusual Noises:</b> Banging, rumbling, or popping sounds from the tank often mean sediment has built up, causing the unit to overheat.</p></li><li><p><b>Leaks:</b> Any water pooling around the base of the tank or visible leaks are clear signs of failure.</p></li><li><p><b>Performance Issues:</b> A decline in performance, such as water not getting hot enough, taking longer to heat up, low water pressure, or decreased efficiency, suggests the unit is struggling.</p></li><li><p><b>Visible Damage:</b> Obvious rust and corrosion on the exterior of the tank can indicate a more serious internal problem.</p></li></ul><p>While these signs often point to replacement, some issues may be fixable. It's best to consult a professional plumber to diagnose the problem before investing in a new unit.</p></div>

Get matched with top water heater pros in Lagrange, GA

Q: Will a larger water heater require a larger circuit breaker?

• <div><p>A <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/what-size-breaker-for-water-heater.htm">larger heater requires a larger breaker</a>&mdash;unless there&rsquo;s one already installed. The longer answer to this question is more nuanced. Do you place demands on the heater at the same time as running other heavy-duty appliances like ovens and washing machines? Do you live in an older home that may not have considered the higher electrical demands we have now? Breakers need to be sized at 125% of the load. To find that load, you should call a <a href="https://www.angi.com/nearme/electrical/">local electrical pro</a>. </p></div>

Q: What size tankless water heater to replace a 50-gallon water heater?

• <div><p>A tankless water heater with a flow rate of 10 GPM should replace a conventional 50-gallon water heater. To avoid a surprise cold shower or two and to keep your energy costs in check, it's important to replace a conventional tanked water heater with the equivalent tankless water heater. Your household size and the number of hot-water-using devices you use at once can help you determine the best-size tankless water heater. </p></div>

Q: What is the average lifespan of a water heater?

• <div><p>The lifespan of a water heater depends on its type, usage, and maintenance schedule. Traditional tank-style water heaters typically last between 8 and 12 years, though the range can be as wide as 6 to 15 years. Within this category, gas models often last 8-12 years, while electric models may last 10-15 years. In contrast, tankless water heaters have a significantly longer lifespan, often lasting up to 20 years or more. Factors like heavy usage, hard water, and sediment buildup can shorten a unit's life. To extend its lifespan, it is crucial to perform regular maintenance, such as flushing the tank annually and scheduling professional inspections. If your unit is over a decade old and shows signs of rust, leaks, strange noises, or inconsistent heating, it is likely time for a replacement.</p></div>

Q: Can you vent a water heater outside the house?

• <div><p>Typically, only a high-efficiency water heater with an inducer fan can be vented outside the house. Otherwise, your water heater needs to be installed on the inside and vented through the roof. However, certain areas may allow a standard-efficiency water heater to be vented outside. Check your local building codes to be sure.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Water Heater Service pros in Lagrange, GA

*The Angi rating for Water Heater Service companies in Lagrange, GA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Water Heater Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Water Heater Service companies in Lagrange, GA is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Water Heater Service needs.

Last update on October 10, 2025

Reviewed in October 2025
Contacted on a Sunday 30 mins after posting my issue. arrived Monday to assess the water leak
Burdette Plumbing
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Reviewed in April 2023
Had the unfortunate experience of using Shane to repair ceiling damage from a leak in my roof. Between him initially coming to the property to give a quote and him fixing it, it was three weeks, which were spent by us repeatedly reaching out to him, him saying that he would get back with us the...
Shane's Service's, llc
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Reviewed in May 2022
We were very pleased with the job done by Hudson Paints in painting the interior of our home. Kelly and Cory were professional, dependable and responsive to all of our requests/concerns. They went “above and beyond” in an effort to repair an area where there had been water damage.
Hudson Paints
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Reviewed in November 2020
Our basement has been leaking forever, probably since the house was originally built. Every time it would rain hard, water would seep in between the foundation walls and basement slab. After a hard rain, I would vacuum up 15-20 gallons of water with my wet/dry vacuum. We had a landscaping and...
'58 Foundations & Waterproofing
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Reviewed in June 2020
A plumber you can trust finally! They told me what they needed to do and they did it for the estimate they said it was going to be. I called them 2 weeks later for a water leak and they came right out as soon as they were able to fit me in their schedule and everything is wonderful now.
Thompsons Plumbing
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Reviewed in January 2019
I could not have been more pleased! The nightmare of having to replace the roof on my 8 year old house was turned into a pleasant experience. They came when they said they would and finished the job early to beat the rain and didn't leave any mess behind, not so much as a nail could be found in...
C. Jenkins Construction Inc.
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Reviewed in December 2015
They were able to come out to the house quickly to check on a leaking hot water heater. They told me the unit needed to be replaced and did a good job replacing it. However, the hot water heater was not the problem and the unit leaked again that night. I ended up paying 700 dollars to replace...
Beall's Plumbing
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Find Water heater pros in Lagrange

ProCharged Septic&Drain cleaning

5.0(

)

Tankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - Install - For BusinessTankless Water Heater - Repair+5 more

Serving Lagrange, GA and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

22 years experience in septic and plumbing. One of the best in the south guaranteed and no up charges or hidden cost. All work comes with a 2 year warranty. We can beat all companies on pricing. Veteran and Family owned and operated company. All technicians have license and certifications in the state of Georgia......

+13

Response time1 day

Response rate99%

3 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Columbus

New to Angi

Water Heater - Install or ReplaceTankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - Install - For Business+5 more

Serving Lagrange, GA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

At bluefrog plumbing + draiin we leap into action to provide you with our quality plumbing services. We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, up front pricing, and quality work. We strongly believe in giving our absolute best in all the work we perform. We are experts and will always keep you educated about the work process. We look forward to earning your business.

18 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Professional Plumbing Service

4.7(

106

)

Tankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - Install - For BusinessWater Heater - Install or Replace

Serving Lagrange, GA and surrounding areas

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Joe was very quick to respond to my request. He made an appointment for the following day, diagnosed the problem and replaced a hot water heater all in the same day. As an out of town landlord, he coordinated with me and my tenant, keeping us informed of every step. A very good experience!"

Response time10 hrs

Response rate89%

Recommended by96%of homeowners

Water Heater - Install or Replace

Serving Lagrange, GA and surrounding areas

In business since 2014

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Mike and his partner are very professional and explain every step of the project. If you have any other questions pertaining to plumbing mike will help you with that as well. Great customer service. Will hire he for further projects. And will recommend to others because he take pride in his work."

Response time9 hrs

Recommended by84%of homeowners

Solar Water Heater System - InstallTankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - Install - For Business+6 more

Serving Lagrange, GA and surrounding areas

In business since 1995

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Ask me about my specials on Water Heaters!!! State Licensed Master Plumber with 43 years of experience. Veteran owned and operated business. Free estimates with competitive prices.

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Solar Water Heater System - InstallTankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - Install - For Business+6 more

Serving Lagrange, GA and surrounding areas

In business since 2008

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"Still waiting for parts after 7 days. TOMORROW IS A WEEK.. We have no water heater. My wife recently had surgery and needs higene.can we replace the water heater???? PLEASE"

Recommended by81%of homeowners

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Eskew Plumbing And Repair

5.0(

)

Solar Water Heater System - InstallTankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - Install - For Business+6 more

Serving Lagrange, GA and surrounding areas

In business since 1997

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

Licensed and insured, Master Plumber Non-Restricted with 33 years of experience, Certified by OSHA and American Home Shield. with many other certifications.

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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American Home Shield – Home Warranty

3.5(

5,688

)

Solar Water Heater System - InstallTankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - Install - For Business+6 more

Serving Lagrange, GA and surrounding areas

In business since 1971

Credit card accepted

"We pay yearly but we have this is included with our rental property. They are pretty good on most things. We had a hot water heater replaced and they did an excellent job on that. They are very quick on their response. They dont come out here. It is all done on the internet. I just like the idea that one time service charge is so much better than trying to hiring someone to come in. It is more about convenience. It pays for itself."

Recommended by65%of homeowners

Water Heater - Install or ReplaceWater Heater - Repair or Service

Serving Lagrange, GA and surrounding areas

In business since 1983

Free estimates

We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty, integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of services that are customizable to each individual project. You will find us to be competitively priced, paying close attention to the details of each and every project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!

Response time3 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Odom's Plumbing and Handyman Services

5.0(

)

Tankless Water Heater - InstallTankless Water Heater - RepairWater Heater - Install or Replace+1 more

Serving Lagrange, GA and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

At Odom's Plumbing and Handyman Services, we pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity and quality work that customers can believe in. We are experts in our trade and will do our best to keep you as educated as we can on your particular task or project. We look forward to earning your business and working with you!

Response time3 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Showing 1-10 of 22

Water Heaters questions, answered by experts

A larger heater requires a larger breaker—unless there’s one already installed. The longer answer to this question is more nuanced. Do you place demands on the heater at the same time as running other heavy-duty appliances like ovens and washing machines? Do you live in an older home that may not have considered the higher electrical demands we have now? Breakers need to be sized at 125% of the load. To find that load, you should call a local electrical pro.

Several signs indicate your water heater may be failing or in need of replacement. Key indicators include:

Age: A water heater older than ten years is approaching the end of its typical lifespan.
Water Quality: If you notice rusty or discolored water from your hot water faucets, or a foul odor similar to rotten eggs or sulfur, it can signal internal corrosion.
Unusual Noises: Banging, rumbling, or popping sounds from the tank often mean sediment has built up, causing the unit to overheat.
Leaks: Any water pooling around the base of the tank or visible leaks are clear signs of failure.
Performance Issues: A decline in performance, such as water not getting hot enough, taking longer to heat up, low water pressure, or decreased efficiency, suggests the unit is struggling.
Visible Damage: Obvious rust and corrosion on the exterior of the tank can indicate a more serious internal problem.

While these signs often point to replacement, some issues may be fixable. It's best to consult a professional plumber to diagnose the problem before investing in a new unit.

A tankless water heater with a flow rate of 10 GPM should replace a conventional 50-gallon water heater. To avoid a surprise cold shower or two and to keep your energy costs in check, it's important to replace a conventional tanked water heater with the equivalent tankless water heater. Your household size and the number of hot-water-using devices you use at once can help you determine the best-size tankless water heater.

The lifespan of a water heater depends on its type, usage, and maintenance schedule. Traditional tank-style water heaters typically last between 8 and 12 years, though the range can be as wide as 6 to 15 years. Within this category, gas models often last 8-12 years, while electric models may last 10-15 years. In contrast, tankless water heaters have a significantly longer lifespan, often lasting up to 20 years or more. Factors like heavy usage, hard water, and sediment buildup can shorten a unit's life. To extend its lifespan, it is crucial to perform regular maintenance, such as flushing the tank annually and scheduling professional inspections. If your unit is over a decade old and shows signs of rust, leaks, strange noises, or inconsistent heating, it is likely time for a replacement.

Typically, only a high-efficiency water heater with an inducer fan can be vented outside the house. Otherwise, your water heater needs to be installed on the inside and vented through the roof. However, certain areas may allow a standard-efficiency water heater to be vented outside. Check your local building codes to be sure.

The Lagrange, GA homeowners’ guide to water heater services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

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How Long Do Water Heaters Last?
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