No hot water, a rotten egg smell, a leaking tank, or a rumbling noise during heating — each points to a specific failure with a specific fix. Here's how to tell the difference between a repairable component and a failing tank.
How your water heater works, how to diagnose it, when to repair vs. replace, and the full decision framework from our licensed plumbing team.
The most important first question: is the tank itself failing, or is a repairable component causing the problem? That distinction determines whether the answer is a $20 part or a full replacement.