Leaking Water Heater: Causes, Costs, and What to Do Next

When your leaking water heater, a common household appliance that stores and heats water for showers, laundry, and dishes. Also known as a storage tank water heater, it’s designed to last 8 to 12 years—but a leak means something’s gone wrong. It’s not always a sign you need a brand-new unit. Sometimes, it’s just a loose valve, a corroded pipe, or a worn-out anode rod, a sacrificial metal rod inside the tank that protects it from rust. Other times, the tank itself is done for. Knowing the difference saves you hundreds—or even thousands.

A water heater repair, a service that fixes faults like leaks, no hot water, or strange noises without replacing the entire unit. can cost as little as $150 if it’s just a pressure relief valve or a drain valve. But if the tank is rusted through, no repair will stick. That’s when you’re looking at a water heater replacement, the process of removing an old unit and installing a new one, usually taking 4 to 8 hours.. The average price? Around $1,200 to $3,000, depending on the type, size, and whether you need new pipes or electrical work. And if you’ve been ignoring small drips for years, you might already be dealing with water damage to your floor or walls—that’s an extra cost no one wants.

Most leaks start small. A puddle under the tank. A damp spot on the floor. Maybe it’s just condensation—but if it keeps coming back, don’t ignore it. Check the connections first. Tighten the fittings. Look for rust on the bottom of the tank. If you see it there, the tank is likely beyond saving. A water heater maintenance, regular tasks like flushing the tank and checking the anode rod that extend the life of your unit. every year can stop 80% of leaks before they start. Flushing out sediment stops corrosion. Replacing the anode rod every 5 years keeps the tank from eating itself from the inside out. Most people don’t do it until something breaks. That’s why so many end up with a flooded basement.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t theory. It’s real fixes from real situations. How long does it take to replace a water heater? What’s the actual cost of an anode rod swap? When does a leak mean you need a new unit—and when can you just tighten a fitting? We’ve got answers based on what’s actually happening in homes, not what sales reps tell you. No fluff. No upsells. Just what you need to know to decide if you fix it, replace it, or call a pro before the floor gives way.