If the date on your water heater is eight or more years past, start closely monitoring the equipment for problems. You may also consider proactively replacing your water heater when it reaches the end of its predicted lifespan to avoid major problems.
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. Replacing a water heater is already a large expense.
Common signs that it's time to replace your water heater include its age (usually 10-15 years), rusty or discolored water, strange noises, leaks or pooling water around the tank, and insufficient hot water supply.
As a general rule, a conventional water heater with a tank will have an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years. They can even live up to 12 with a mixture of attentive maintenance and sheer good luck. However, serious dysfunction only becomes harder to avoid past the 6-year mark.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 neither you nor a professional have flushed your water within the last five years, Water Heaters Now recommends not flushing it yourself.
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.
If your hot water is no longer coming out hot or is only hot some of the time, it may be time to replace the heater. Sometimes the devices and mechanisms inside will wear down or break, causing your heater to stop heating. In some cases, this may require a simple repair.
In most cases, the water heater is the exact same whether it comes with a 6-year, 9-year or 12-year warranty. Any money spent buying a 6-year heater versus a 12-year heater warranty is much more like insurance than investing in a better product.
That varies with the location and design of the unit, quality of installation, maintenance schedule and water quality. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, leaks around the base of the tank or operates erratically, it's probably time to replace your water heater.
Check the Serial Number (Age)
Your water heater's age is your first indication of its remaining lifespan. Most heaters have a lifespan of 8-20 years.
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.
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.
The frequency of anode rod replacement can vary based on factors like water quality, the volume of water usage and the type of rod used. However, most professionals recommend inspecting the anode rod every one to three years and replacing it every four to five years.
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.
Common water heater problems and how to troubleshoot them. Water heater problems can be caused by electrical or gas problems, failures in water heater elements, or faulty pipes or valves.
Because tankless water heaters are more efficient, they cost less money to operate. This can save you money in the long run since utility bills are lower than with a tank water heater. Many people find that the cost savings in energy usage eventually makes up for the higher initial cost of a tankless heater.