Your hot water heater is probably the most underestimated machine in your home. Really – without a water heater, you don’t have any of the following:
- Steamy showers
- Toasty baths
- Disinfected dishes
- Disinfected towels and sheets
- Hot water, period.
Given the significance of the water heater, do you really know much about it? We’re here with a couple things to think about when it comes to replacing, maintaining, and servicing your water heater.
The average lifespan of residential water heaters is between ten and twelve years.
Natural gas and electric water heaters will usually last about a decade before you need to look into replacing the system. If you are not sure what age your water heater is, the date the unit was manufactured will be displayed in the serial number which is located on the ID sticker on the water heater tank.
Aging water heaters are nothing to ignore. A water heater that is 10 years or older is at higher risk of producing a leak and leading to water damage to your home. If your water heater sits in your attic or above the first floor, the chance of catastrophic damage goes up. Be sure you have your water heater maintenance annually to keep any leaks from creating damage in your home.
The most typical failure of residential water heaters that will entail replacement is a leaking tank.
It is a good idea to have your plumber install the water heater in a drain pan with piping that allows the pan to drain to the outside of your home and decrease the possibility of water damage. Each water heater should have a functional and reachable cut-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 cut off should be located close by.
If a water heater is “undersized,” in particular a gas water heater, the equipment will malfunction in a shorter time span.
When a gas water heater is regularly depleted of hot water due to heavy hot water utilization, the gas burner is set off more often which can produce heavy condensation on the exterior of the tank. The condensation can create more rapid deterioration of the steel tank. Furthermore, the severe heat from the gas burner on the underside of the water heater tank can also cause damage to the glass lining on the inside of the tank, which reduces the life expectancy of the water heater.
Water Heater sizing is a significant replacement factor.
The water supply cause all water heaters to be under pressure, and as water is heated, it grows creating even more pressure. When thinking about replacing a water heater, it’s typically better to go with a sizable 50 gallon tank, rather than a 30 or 40 gallon tank, presuming the location will accommodate the larger size. The bigger tank will also supply you more hot water capacity.