Performing annual maintenance on a tank-style water heater by flushing it will extend its lifespan. This can help you keep your water heater running in tip-top shape for years to come — and prevent an expensive disaster that involves a late-night or weekend call to a local plumber.
Water Heater Maintenance Tips
Flush your water heater every six months or so. If you have harder water, or water that contains more minerals, you may want to flush it more often. If you leave town, change your water heater to its vacation setting. The pilot light will stay on, but the water will not be heated.
Average Lifespan Of A Hot Water Heater
With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.
Are you running out of hot water quicker than you used to? That's usually caused by a bad dip tube. But, if you have an electric water heater, the culprit could also be broken heating elements or a faulty thermostat.
If this heat is being blocked by sediment and other materials, then your water heater has to work harder to heat the water. There are really no downsides to flushing a water heater. Sediment build up causes damage and it is more expensive to leave it than to just flush it out regularly.
While draining your water heater once a year is the minimum recommended maintenance, flushing it twice a year is ideal. If you live in an area with high mineral content, more frequent flushing may be necessary to prevent mineral buildup in the tank.
Ideally, you should hire a professional plumber to come service your water heater at least once a year.
With nothing more than a once-per-year flushing maintenance service, a tankless water heater can easily last 20 to 30 years, and some will even last quite a bit longer.
Tankless water heaters typically have a lifespan of 20 years or more. Traditional water heaters with standing water tanks can last around 10 to 15 years before you notice signs of age.
After using the tank water heater for long (about ten years), the rod gets eaten away and no longer works effectively. The corrosive particles settle on the tank's interior lining, including its bottom, and destroy it. At that point, the tank may start leaking. Check out this post to learn how to deal with leaks.
According to IBHS, 69% of water heater failures are a result of a slow leak or sudden burst, causing significant water damage. Not only are these claims frequent, but IBHS also estimates that they cost an average of $4,444 per claim.
So, if you have a 40-gallon hot water tank, you should be able to get four average-length showers out of your hot water tank. This also depends on how much hot water you use for other things.
One of the leading plumbing problems with a hot water system is a poorly maintained hot water tank. Sediment and corrosion build up within the tank. This lowers the water quality and slows the heating element's effects. A simple draining and cleaning process resolves these plumbing problems.
It could be faulty parts in the water heating unit, an obstructed flue, the build-up of sediment or a malfunctioning temperature control. When dealing with these problems it is always best to call in the plumbing professionals.
Water Heater Lifespan
A hot water heater's lifespan depends on many factors, including the type of water heater, the energy source, the type of water you have, and how well the unit is maintained. On average, most water heaters last between 8 and 12 years but some can last up to 20 years with regular maintenance.
When should I consider replacing my water heater? If you suspect your water heater is more than 10 years old—it is time to consider replacing it before you're left with an emergency decision. To determine the age of your water heater, you'll need to identify the Brand Name and Serial Number for your unit.
If your water heater fails suddenly, you won't have time to research these other options that may improve performance and efficiency for the next 10 to 20 years. That's why we recommend a preemptive replacement if your water heater is showing signs of wearing out.
If a water heater is ten years or older, you should start thinking about replacing it. At the least, you should keep a closer eye on it. For example, if you see leaks around the base of your water heater, it's probably time to replace it. Before you retire your old heater, however, check for other problems.