Guides · Plumbing and water
What your water heater (tank) needs and how often, how long it usually lasts, and what replacing it tends to cost.
Drain sediment to protect efficiency and extend service life. A typical schedule is once a year.
A depleted anode rod is the usual cause of early tank failure. A typical schedule is every 3 years.
Usually 8 to 12 years. Where yours sits in that range depends on when it went in and how it's been looked after, which is why the install year is the most useful thing to write down. Something past its typical life isn't due for replacing on that account: most things are run until they fail. It's a reason to put money aside, not to spend it.
Roughly $1,500 to $3,500 installed in the U.S. Treat it as a range for budgeting until you have a quote.
Generic schedules start from the calendar. Yours should start from your house. Keeping House takes the year each system went in and works out what's due and when, sends the reminders, and keeps the history a buyer or insurer will ask for.
Intervals and lifespans are typical figures for U.S. homes, in line with commonly cited industry ranges; costs are rough installed prices in 2026 dollars. Your manufacturer's manual and local conditions come first.