Is 18 years a long time for a hot water heater?

[Rmgolob]

If you still have it, the brand and date code of the old WH (may be part of the serial number) could be interesting.

Not from the 50's, but my WH was manufactured in Jan 1977 and installed as part of new construction that year.
We bought the house in 2012 and no issues...

 

[Terry]

For a gas water heater you're lucky to get 15 years, and normally you can count on 10 years pretty easily depending on your water source.
I pulled some at seven years.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

I am getting a little tired of water heaters.... cant even throw a huge number at people on a sat afternoon and get out of
doing the work..... they still want it done so i make another 250 to go out at 2pm....... crap...