Things to Keep in Mind When It Comes to Your Water Heater 

The water heater is probably the most underestimated appliance in your home. Seriously – without the water heater, you wouldn’t have any of the following: 

  • Hot showers 
  • Hot baths 
  • Disinfected dishes 
  • Sanitized towels and sheets 
  • Hot water, period. 

Given the importance of the water heater, do you actually know enough 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 usual 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 look into replacing the appliance. If you are not sure about the age of your water heater, the date the equipment was manufactured will be reflected in the serial number which can be found on the label on the water heater tank. 

Aging water heaters are nothing to ignore. A water heater that is ten years or older is at greater risk of springing a leak and causing water damage to your home. If your water heater is in your attic or above the ground floor, the chance of catastrophic damage increases. Always have your water heater maintenance annually to prevent any leaks from creating damage in your home. 

The most common breakdown of residential water heaters that will need replacement is a leaking tank. 

It is a good idea to have your installer place the water heater in a drain pan with piping that lets the pan to drain to the outside of your home and minimize the possibility of water damage. Every water heater should have a functional and accessible shut-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 shut off should be located nearby. 

If a water heater is “undersized,” particularly a gas water heater, the system will malfunction in a shorter time span. 

When a gas water heater is consistently drained of hot water due to substantial hot water usage, the gas burner is set off more often which can produce heavy condensation on the tank exterior. The condensation can cause more speedy deterioration of the steel tank. Additionally, the severe heat from the gas burner on the base of the water heater tank can also cause damage to the glass lining on the interior of the tank, which decreases the life expectancy of the water heater. 

Water Heater sizing is an essential replacement issue. 

The water supply creates pressure for all water heaters, and as water is heated, it grows creating even more pressure. When considering replacement of a water heater, it’s generally better to go with a larger 50 gallon tank, rather than a 30 or 40 gallon tank, as long as the location will fit the larger size. The bigger tank will also give you more hot water capacity. 

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