The water heater is probably the most underestimated system in your home. Seriously – without the water heater, you couldn’t have any of the following:
- Hot showers
- Hot baths
- Disinfected dishes
- Clean towels and sheets
- Hot water, period.
Given the power of the water heater, do you truly know much about it? We’re here to give you a few things to think about when it comes to replacing, maintaining, and servicing your water heater.
The usual lifespan of residential water heaters is 10-12 years.
Natural gas and electric water heaters will commonly last about a decade before you need to consider replacing the system. If you are unsure how old your water heater is, the date the unit was manufactured will be shown in the serial number which you can find on the ID sticker on the water heater tank.
Older water heaters are nothing to take lightly. A water heater that is ten years or older is at more risk of springing a leak and resulting in water damage to your home. If your water heater sits in your attic or above the ground floor, the potential for catastrophic damage rises. Be sure you have your water heater maintenance yearly to keep any leaks from creating damage in your home.
The most typical breakdown of residential water heaters that will need 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 enables the pan to drain to the outside of your home and decrease the probability of water damage. Every water heater should have a operational and accessible 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 within reach.
If a water heater is “undersized,” in particular a gas water heater, the equipment will breakdown in a shorter amount of time.
When a gas water heater is consistently depleted of hot water due to heavy hot water use, the gas burner is set off more frequently which can result in heavy condensation on the exterior of the tank. The condensation can result in more expeditious breakdown of the steel tank. Additionally, 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 an essential 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 considering replacement of a water heater, it’s generally better to go with a sizable 50 gallon tank, rather than a 30 or 40 gallon tank, providing the location will fit the larger size. The bigger tank will also provide you more hot water capacity.