The water heater is probably the most underestimated system in your home. Think about it – without the water heater, you don’t have any of the following:
- Steamy showers
- Hot baths
- Clean dishes
- Clean towels and sheets
- Hot water, period.
Given the significance of the water heater, do you really know enough about it? We’re here with a couple things to remember when it comes to maintaining, servicing, and replacing your water heater.
The typical lifespan of residential water heaters is about ten to twelve years.
Natural gas and electric water heaters will usually last about a decade before you need to look into replacing the appliance. If you are unsure how old your water heater is, the date the system was manufactured will be shown in the serial number which can be found on the label 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 more risk of getting a leak and resulting in water damage to your home. If your water heater sits in your attic or above the bottom floor, the possibility of catastrophic damage rises. Always have your water heater maintenance yearly to avoid any leaks from creating damage in your home.
The most usual malfunction of residential water heaters that will entail replacement is a leaking tank.
It is a good idea to have your plumbing expert install the water heater in a drain pan with piping that enables the pan to drain outside of your home and decrease the possibility of water damage. Every water heater should have a operational 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 switch off should be placed nearby.
If a water heater is “undersized,” in particular a gas water heater, the equipment will breakdown in a shorter period of time.
When a gas water heater is routinely drained of hot water due to heavy hot water use, the gas burner discharges repeatedly which can result in heavy condensation on the tank exterior. The condensation can cause more rapid breakdown of the steel tank. Additionally, the severe 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 reduces the lifespan of the water heater.
Water Heater sizing is a significant replacement issue.
All water heaters are under pressure from the water supply, and as water is heated, it expands creating even more pressure. When contemplating replacing a water heater, it’s generally better to go with a bigger 50 gallon tank, rather than a 30 or 40 gallon tank, as long as the location will accept the larger size. The larger tank will also provide you more hot water capacity.