Related: water heater installation & replacement · tankless vs. tank — which is right? · MA water heater permit rules · water heater leaking? what to do
The problem: an aging tank and a leaking fitting
The existing unit was a gas-fired Ruud Achiever Professional tank. The installer's handwritten note on the jacket read "Installed: 3/14/14" — by the time we replaced it in September 2026 the tank was 12 years old, past the typical 8–12-year service life of a tank-type water heater.
The tank itself was still holding, but the water line next to it was not. A fitting on the supply piping had been leaking, and the constant moisture had corroded the pipe section and the valve beside it (see signs you need repiping) — you can see the green corrosion on the pipe and around the valve in the photo below.
Why we replaced the heater instead of only fixing the leak
Fixing just the fitting would have stopped the drip for now — but it would have left a 12-year-old tank in place. At that age the inside of the tank is the next thing to go, and when a tank fails it usually lets go all at once, flooding the floor around it. Doing both jobs in one visit meant one shutdown, one gas and water reconnection, and no second emergency call a few months later.
What we did
- Replaced the water heater. We removed the old tank and installed a new Ruud Achiever Professional gas water heater, reconnected to the gas line, the vent and the water piping.
- Replaced the leaking fitting. The fitting that had been dripping was cut out and replaced.
- Replaced the corroded pipe and valve. The pipe section and valve damaged by the leak were replaced with new copper and a new shutoff valve, so the line is sound — not just patched at the drip. Knowing where your main water shutoff is matters just as much when a fitting starts to leak.
Signs your water heater is due for replacement
You don't have to wait for a leak. Check the label or the installer's note for the install date and call a plumber if you see any of these:
- The tank is 10–12 years old or more.
- Rust, moisture or a puddle at the base of the tank.
- Green or white corrosion on the pipes, fittings or valves around it.
- Rusty or discolored hot water, or popping and rumbling noises.
- Hot water running out faster than it used to.
If your water heater is getting old or the pipes around it are corroding, it is far cheaper to replace it on your schedule than after it floods. Weighing a different type? Read tankless vs. tank, check Mass Save rebates, or see another real job: an emergency water heater and rusted drain pan replacement. We replace gas and electric water heaters across Greater Boston, MetroWest and Worcester County, MA.