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HeadgatePlumbing & Drain
Tool · Water heater age

How old is your water heater?

The build date is hidden in the serial number. Pick the brand, type the serial off the label, and we'll decode it using each manufacturer's own date code.

1. Brand on the label

On the rating plate on the side of the tank, usually near the model number. Look for “S/N” or “Serial.”

The four digits after the letters: 08 = August, 19 = 2019.

How long they last

8–12 years

That's the typical life of a tank water heater. Hard winters, high water pressure and skipped flushes pull it toward the low end. Tankless units often last 20 years with descaling.

Colorado note: altitude-rated gas units

At Denver's elevation, gas appliances have to be derated (or supplied with gas that already accounts for altitude). When we replace a gas water heater, we install and set up a unit rated for 5,280 feet.

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