Your water heater is probably the most underappreciated machine in your home. Really – without the water heater, you don’t have any of the following:
- Steamy showers
- Hot baths
- Disinfected dishes
- Disinfected towels and sheets
- Hot water, period.
Given the power of the water heater, do you actually know enough about it? We’re here with some things to keep in mind when it comes to replacing, maintaining, and servicing your water heater.
The typical lifespan of residential water heaters is 10-12 years.
Natural gas and electric water heaters will usually last about a decade before you need to look into replacing the water heater. If you aren’t sure about the age of your water heater, the date the system was manufactured will be shown in the serial number which you can find on the ID sticker on the water heater tank.
Maturing water heaters are nothing to mess around with. A water heater that is a decade or older is at greater risk of springing a leak and causing water damage to your home. If your water heater is positioned in your attic or above the first floor, the possibility of catastrophic damage goes up. Be sure you have your water heater maintenance every year to keep any leaks from creating damage in your home.
The most common breakdown of residential water heaters that will require replacement is a leaking tank.
It is highly recommended to have your plumbing expert install the water heater in a drain pan with piping that lets the pan to drain outside of your home and minimize the possibility of water damage. Each water heater should have a functional and accessible shut-off valve on the inlet water supply to the tank, and a ball-type valve on the gas supply. For electric water heaters, an electrical shut off should be placed nearby.
If a water heater is “undersized,” particularly a gas water heater, the equipment will breakdown in a shorter period of time.
When a gas water heater is routinely depleted of hot water due to significant hot water usage, the gas burner is set off more frequently which can result in heavy condensation on the exterior of the tank. The condensation can create more speedy decomposition of the steel tank. Also, the exceptional heat from the gas burner on the base of the water heater tank can also take its toll on the glass lining on the inner section of the tank, which lowers the life expectancy of the water heater.
Water Heater sizing is a significant replacement issue.
The water supply cause all water heaters to be under pressure, and as water is heated, it extends creating even more pressure. When thinking about replacing a water heater, it’s generally better to go with a sizable 50 gallon tank, rather than a 30 or 40 gallon tank, as long as the location will fit the larger size. The bigger tank will also give you more hot water capacity.