The water heater is probably the most underestimated appliance in your home. Really – without a water heater, you don’t have any of these perks:
- Steamy showers
- Toasty baths
- Disinfected dishes
- Sanitized towels and sheets
- Hot water, period.
Given the significance of the water heater, do you really know much about it? We’re here to provide 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 between ten and twelve years.
Natural gas and electric water heaters will usually last about a decade before you need to consider replacing the water heater. If you are unsure what age your water heater is, the date the system was manufactured will be shown in the serial number which can be found on the ID sticker on the water heater tank.
Older water heaters are nothing to mess around with. A water heater that is ten years or older is at higher risk of springing a leak and causing water damage to your home. If your water heater sits in your attic or above the bottom floor, the potential for catastrophic damage rises. Always have your water heater maintenance annually to keep any leaks from causing damage to your home.
The most usual breakdown of residential water heaters that will need 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 lower the potential of water damage. Every water heater should have a functional 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 switch off should be placed 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 emptied of hot water due to substantial hot water use, the gas burner discharges more frequently which can produce heavy condensation on the outside of the tank. The condensation can produce more expeditious breakdown of the steel tank. Also, the severe heat from the gas burner on the underside of the water heater tank can also deteriorate the glass lining on the interior of the tank, which reduces the life cycle of the water heater.
Water Heater sizing is a crucial replacement issue.
The water supply creates pressure for all water heaters, and as water is heated, it expands creating even more pressure. When contemplating replacing a water heater, it’s typically better to go with a sizable 50 gallon tank, rather than a 30 or 40 gallon tank, providing the location will accommodate the larger size. The bigger tank will also supply you more hot water capacity.