Water heater making weird noises, is it about to die?
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2026 6:26 am
Our water heater started making this rumbling popping sound a few weeks ago and now it's getting louder. I'm pretty sure it's on its last legs since it's original to the house which we bought back in 2005. I've been putting off dealing with it because honestly I don't even know who to call or what a replacement costs these days. My neighbor said he used a plumber he found on kitchenbathpaloalto.com/locations/palo-alto/plumbing/ and had a good experience, but I wanted to see if anyone else has recommendations before I start making calls. The thing is I'm not sure if I should just replace it or try to flush it first, and I don't want to get upsold on something I don't need. Also is it normal for these things to last this long? I feel like I'm playing with fire every time I take a shower. Any advice on what to ask a plumber and what a fair price looks like around here would be super helpful.