Things to Keep in Mind When It Comes to Your Water Heater
Your hot water heater is probably the most underrated system in your home. Think about it – without your water heater, you wouldn’t have any of the following:
- Hot showers
- Warm baths
- Sanitized dishes
- Sanitized towels and sheets
- Hot water, period.
Given the significance of the water heater, do you actually know enough about it? We’re here to give you some things to remember when it comes to maintaining, servicing, and replacing your water heater.
The typical lifespan of residential water heaters is between ten and twelve years.
Natural gas and electric water heaters will typically last about a decade before you need to consider replacing the appliance. If you are not sure what age your water heater is, the date the unit was manufactured will be shown in the serial number which can be found on the ID sticker on the water heater tank.
Maturing water heaters are nothing to ignore. A water heater that is ten years or older is at greater risk of producing a leak and causing water damage to your home. If your water heater is in your attic or above the bottom floor, the potential for catastrophic damage goes up. Make sure you have your water heater maintenance yearly to avoid any leaks from creating damage in your home.
The most usual failure of residential water heaters that will entail replacement is a leaking tank.
It is highly recommended to have your plumber install the water heater in a drain pan with piping that lets the pan to drain outside your home and minimize the potential of water damage. Every water heater should have a operational 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 close by.
If a water heater is “undersized,” particularly a gas water heater, the tank will breakdown in a shorter period of time.
When a gas water heater is regularly emptied of hot water due to significant hot water usage, the gas burner discharges more often which can create heavy condensation on the exterior of the tank. The condensation can cause more rapid decomposition of the steel tank. Additionally, the extreme heat from the gas burner on the base of the water heater tank can also cause damage to the glass lining on the inside of the tank, which decreases the life cycle of the water heater.
Water Heater sizing is an essential replacement consideration.
The water supply cause all water heaters to be under pressure, and as water is heated, it extends creating even more pressure. When thinking about replacing a water heater, it’s typically better to go with a bigger 50 gallon tank, rather than a 30 or 40 gallon tank, as long as the location will accommodate the larger size. The 50 gallon tank will also give you more hot water capacity.
