A water heater almost never fails out of nowhere. In the weeks and months before it gives up, it leaves clues — sounds, stains and lukewarm showers. Knowing the signs lets you replace it on your schedule and your budget, instead of during a flood on a Sunday night.

1. It is simply old

A conventional tank water heater typically lasts around 8 to 12 years. Check the manufacturer’s label on the tank for the install or manufacture date. If yours is in that range or past it, every other sign on this list matters much more — the tank is living on borrowed time.

2. Rusty or discolored hot water

If rusty water comes only from the hot taps, the inside of the tank is likely corroding. Corrosion does not heal; it eats through the steel until the tank leaks. Rusty water from both hot and cold taps points to your pipes instead — either way, it is worth a professional look.

3. Rumbling, popping or banging noises

As a tank ages, sediment settles on the bottom. The burner or element then has to heat through that layer, and the trapped water boils and pops beneath it — that is the rumbling you hear. Sediment makes the heater work harder, wear faster and use more energy.

4. Water pooling around the base

Moisture or a small puddle under the tank is an early leak warning. Small fittings and valves can be repaired, but a tank that is leaking from its body cannot — the steel has failed, and replacement is the only real fix. Do not ignore a damp floor around the heater.

5. Showers that will not stay hot

Lukewarm water, or hot water that runs out far faster than it used to, means the heater is losing the fight — sediment buildup, a failing heating element or a worn burner are the usual causes. If the unit is young, a repair may solve it. If it is old, this is sign number one knocking again.

6. Cloudy water or a metallic taste

Hot water that looks cloudy or tastes metallic can mean minerals and tank lining are breaking down inside. Combined with any other sign here, it tells you the tank’s protective lining — the thing standing between the water and the steel — is nearly gone.

7. Repairs are becoming a habit

One repair on a young heater is normal maintenance. A repair every season on an old one is a pattern — and money that could have gone toward a replacement with a fresh warranty. When the repair bills start stacking up, do the math honestly.

What to do when you spot the signs

Start with the label: how old is it? Then look and listen — puddles, rust, rumbling. If two or more signs are present and the tank is over eight years old, get a quote for replacement before it fails. A planned replacement is a normal appointment; an emergency one comes with a flooded floor. Talk to a local plumber about your options — and if your heating system shares the workload, an HVAC pro can check the other half of the picture.

If you would rather have a pro look at it, see plumbing pros in Miami, FL. Related guides: Water Heater: Repair or Replace? and 7 Signs of a Hidden Water Leak