Water Heater Repair & Replacement in Moore, OK
Many Moore homes got new water heaters in the same few years after 2013, and those tanks are now reaching the age when they start to fail. Find out how old yours is, then get a straight answer on whether to repair it or replace it.
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm. After hours, request service online and we’ll call you back.
Why so many Moore water heaters are wearing out now
After the May 2013 tornado, Moore rebuilt quickly. More than 1,100 homes destroyed by the storm went back up within a few years, and new subdivisions kept filling in across town through the same stretch. Each of those homes got a new water heater at about the same time, usually a standard builder-grade 40 or 50 gallon tank.
Most tank water heaters last roughly 8 to 12 years, and central Oklahoma’s hard water tends to push them toward the short end. That puts those tanks in their failure window right now. Because they went in around the same time, it’s common to see several on one street wearing out together.
If a neighbor just replaced theirs, it’s worth checking yours. Replacing a tank on your schedule is a lot less stressful than replacing it after it leaks.
- Typical tank life
- About 8 to 12 years, shorter with hard water and no maintenance.
- Most common tank size
- 40 to 50 gallons, gas or electric.
- Tanks installed 2013–2016
- Now 10 to 13 years old, which is in or past the typical replacement window.
How old is your water heater?
The age is hiding on the label. It takes about 30 seconds to find.
Find the date on the label
Look for the rating sticker on the side of the tank. It lists the brand, model and serial number. On A.O. Smith and State tanks, the first four digits of the serial number are the year and week the tank was built:
1334A012345That example was built in 2013, week 34.
Rheem and Ruud put the month first, then the year. Skip any letters at the start. The first four numbers, like 0614, mean June 2014. Bradford White uses two letters: the first is the year (K = 2013, L = 2014, M = 2015, N = 2016) and the second is the month (A = January, B = February, and so on). Another brand, or still not sure? Read us the serial number when you call and we’ll decode it for you.
This is a general guide based on tank age. Condition matters too, which is why we look before we recommend anything.
Repair or replace? What the symptom usually means
Plenty of water heater problems are simple, affordable repairs. A few mean the tank itself is done. Here’s how we sort them out.
| What you notice | Usually means | On a tank 10+ years old |
|---|---|---|
| No hot water at all | On gas tanks, often the pilot, thermocouple or gas valve. On electric tanks, often a heating element or thermostat. | Usually still worth repairing if the tank isn’t leaking. |
| Hot water runs out fast | Sediment built up in the bottom, a failed element, or a broken dip tube. | Repairable, but heavy sediment on an older tank often points to replacement. |
| Rumbling or popping sounds | Hard-water sediment baking on the bottom of the tank. | A sign the tank is wearing out. Start planning a replacement. |
| Rusty or discolored hot water | The anode rod is used up, or the inside of the tank is corroding. | If the tank is rusting inside, replacement is the only fix. |
| Water around the base | Could be a loose fitting or drain valve, which is repairable, or the tank itself leaking. | A leaking tank can’t be repaired. Replace it before it lets go. |
| Relief valve dripping or spraying | Pressure or temperature is running too high, or the valve is worn. | Call us. That valve is a safety device, and the cause needs to be found. |
Smell gas near the water heater? Leave the house and call your gas company from outside before calling a plumber.
What a replacement looks like
If replacement makes sense, here’s what happens from the first look to the old tank leaving your garage.
-
We look at your current setup
Size, gas or electric, venting, and how the water and gas lines connect. Houses built in the same rebuild years often have similar setups, but we check yours.
-
We match the right replacement
Usually the same size, unless your household has changed. We install A.O. Smith and State water heaters and can install any brand you prefer, including tankless.
-
We install it to current code
Every replacement is installed to City and State codes. Installs from 10+ years ago sometimes need updates, like a thermal expansion tank, drain pan or venting changes, and we’ll tell you before we do anything.
-
We test it and show you the basics
We fill the tank, check every connection for leaks, set the temperature, and show you where the shutoff is.
-
We haul the old tank away
No curbside hassle. The old water heater leaves with us.
Water heater service across Moore
Moore is a short drive up I-35 from our shop on Industrial Boulevard in Norman.
Moore ZIP codes
Neighborhoods
See everything we do in Moore on our Moore plumbing page.
Related services
Water heater trouble sometimes turns out to be something else.
Moore water heater FAQ
How long do water heaters last in Moore?
Most tank water heaters last about 8 to 12 years. Central Oklahoma’s hard water builds up sediment inside the tank, which tends to shorten that. Tanks installed during Moore’s rebuild after 2013 are now 10 to 13 years old.
How do I tell how old my water heater is?
Check the rating label on the side of the tank. On A.O. Smith and State tanks, the first four digits of the serial number are the year and week it was built, so 1334 means 2013, week 34. Rheem and Ruud use month then year, so 0614 means June 2014. Bradford White uses letters, where K is 2013 and L is 2014. Read us the serial number and we’ll tell you the age.
Is it worth repairing a 12-year-old water heater?
Sometimes. A bad thermostat, element or igniter is a small repair and can buy more time. But if the tank is leaking, rumbling, or putting out rusty water, the tank itself is failing and replacement is the better use of your money.
What brands do you install?
We install A.O. Smith and State water heaters, and we can install any brand you prefer. We handle gas, electric and tankless.
Do you haul away the old water heater?
Yes. When we replace your tank, we take the old one with us.
How fast can you replace a water heater in Moore?
Same-day service is available in most cases. Call (405) 364-1001 during business hours and we’ll get you on the schedule.
What are your hours?
Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Outside those hours, request service online and we’ll call you back.
Get ahead of a failing water heater
Tell us the age of your tank and what it’s doing. We’ll tell you honestly whether it needs a repair or a replacement.