Things to Keep in Mind When It Comes to Your Water Heater
Your hot water heater is probably the most underappreciated machine in your home. Really – without the water heater, you couldn’t have any of these luxuries:
- Warm showers
- Warm baths
- Disinfected dishes
- Sanitized towels and sheets
- Hot water, period.
Given the importance of the water heater, do you really know a good amount about it? We’re here to give you a couple 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 typically last about a decade before you need to think about replacing the water heater. If you are not sure how old your water heater is, the date the system was manufactured will be reflected in the serial number which can be found on the identification tag on the water heater tank.
Aging water heaters are nothing to mess around with. A water heater that is 10 years or older is at greater risk of producing a leak and causing water damage to your home. If your water heater is positioned in your attic or above the first floor, the chance of catastrophic damage goes up. Make sure you have your water heater maintenance every year to avoid any leaks from damaging your home.
The most usual breakdown of residential water heaters that will need replacement is a leaking tank.
It is highly recommended to have your plumber install the water heater in a drain pan with piping that allows the pan to drain outside of your home and decrease the possibility of water damage. All water heaters should have a working and obtainable 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 disconnect should be placed within reach.
If a water heater is “undersized,” particularly a gas water heater, the system will malfunction in a shorter period of time.
When a gas water heater is consistently depleted of hot water due to substantial hot water usage, the gas burner fires more often which can produce heavy condensation on the exterior of the tank. The condensation can result in more expeditious decomposition of the steel tank. Furthermore, the exceptional heat from the gas burner on the bottom of the water heater tank can also take its toll on the glass lining on the interior of the tank, which lowers the life cycle of the water heater.
Water Heater sizing is an important replacement consideration.
The water supply creates pressure for all water heaters, and as water is heated, it extends creating even more pressure. When considering replacement of 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 larger tank will also provide you more hot water capacity.
