A Corroded Water Heater Could Cause Significant Damage If the tank rusts through, it could fail catastrophically and flood your home. You can avoid this disaster by replacing your water heater before it fails.
Yes, consider replacing your water heater when the warranty expires. Prepare for it when you start seeing signs ie. rust etc. If you wait until it fails you will potentially have: a big leak and water all over the area around it no hot water for several days, may be a week or longer.
From old age to a buildup of sediment, there are many reasons either of these water heaters may fail. However, waiting until this happens could spell disaster for your home, which is why you should consider a preemptive replacement.
Probably the biggest motivation to be proactive with your water heater replacement is to avoid a water heater disaster. An aging water heater can develop leaks, which can lead to costly water damage and avoidable repairs to flooring and walls.
This is because the process of installing a new water heater can be quite complex and often requires the use of special tools and equipment. Additionally, the cost of labor for this type of project can be quite high.
Water heaters show several signs of going bad, including lack of hot water, temperature fluctuations, decreased water pressure, strange noises, rotten egg smell, visible leaks, rusty or discolored water, and increased energy bills. If your water heater is over 10 years old, it may be time to consider a replacement.
If neither you nor a professional have flushed your water within the last five years, Water Heaters Now recommends not flushing it yourself.
Absolutely! After 20 years, your tank water heater is well past its life expectancy. If you have a tankless water heater, it's approaching its life expectancy. At this point, you should expect additional repairs from wear and tear.
Once you decide to (or are forced to) replace your current water heater, there are a few decisions you need to make to get the process started. If there are no issues or complications, a licensed plumber should be able to complete the process in 2-3 hours.
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.
Water Heaters May Be Covered as Personal Property
In some rare cases, the water heater itself may be covered as personal property. This means that it can be replaced or repaired if a loss occurs due to a peril that's covered by your insurance policy, such as: A fire in your home. Hurricanes or tornadoes.
The labor cost to install a water heater through Home Depot ranges between $50 and $150 per hour. On average, you will spend between $100 and $450 because the installation usually takes two to three hours.
Water Heater Lifespan
With proper maintenance, a tank water heater tank should last six to 12 years. A tankless water heater can last for more than 20 years. Check your water heater's warranty for the most accurate timelines.
Most homeowners should flush their water heaters every 6 months or so, but if you have extremely hard water, you may want to do it more often. Flushing your hot water heater could be necessary as often as every few months depending on the mineral content of your local water supply.
It would be wise to start looking for a replacement because, like all mechanical equipment, water heaters have a life expectancy. Traditional storage water heaters typically last about 10 to 15 years, while tankless water heaters can last 20 years or more.
Lowe's Water Heater Installation
Let us replace and install your new water heater. Our Independent Service PROviders can help you with both tankless and traditional water heater tanks, including gas water heaters, electric water heaters and tankless gas water heaters.
On average, water heaters can last 8 to 12 years with proper installation and regular preventive maintenance.
It is recommended that you flush your water heater at least once per year. Doing so will help to prevent the potential problems that sediment can bring over time. Typically, it takes one to two hours to flush a water heater. The size of your tank will impact the amount of time it takes to drain.
The longer your water heater goes without a drain-and-flush, the more sediment and minerals will accumulate at the bottom of the tank. Eventually, this causes scaling. Ever noticed that hard, mineral buildup on your sink faucets and shower heads? That's scale: accumulated mineralization.
Water heater leaking from bottom
The fix: Try draining your water heater. This will help flush out the sediment sitting at the bottom of the tank. Refill the heater and see if the leak has stopped. If it hasn't, it likely means that the bottom of your tank is corroded, and the water heater must be replaced.
A: Common causes of water heater malfunctions include sediment buildup, faulty heating elements or thermostats, corroded anode rods, and excessive water pressure. Regular maintenance can help prevent many of these issues.
Poor water heater performance can sometimes stem from an anode rod that's overdue for replacement. If you notice signs of poor performance, such as discolored or rusty water, sulfuric or rotten egg smells, popping sounds from the tank, or high heating bills, inspect your water rod to determine if it needs replacement.