On Sun, 17 Jun 2007 17:21:49 -0700, JB wrote:

My 40 gal gas water heater is about 13 yrs old. Water is hot and it
works fine. The only sign of age is exterior paint starting to flake
off with rust underneath. (Its kind of strange...the flake bits are
perfectly round...like tiny polka dots.)

What is the average life of a gas water heater? I don't want to
replace a perfectly good heater with lots of life left, but I don't
want to play Russian roulette and come home from work one day to a
swimming pool in my basement!

Life is from 8 to 30 years, perhaps 15 years is the average. Soft
water, regular maintenance, and cooler temperatures will extend the
life expectancy.

What are the signs that its time for it to go?

Leakage or not heating. It is a good idea to install a drip pan with
a hose to the outside (mine feeds into the A/C drain). Also not a bad
idea to install a moisture alarm and keep goods up off the floor.

THanks!

--Jeff