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

The water heater is probably the most underrated appliance in your home. Think about it – without your water heater, you don’t have any of the following: 

• Hot showers 
• Warm baths 
• Clean dishes 
• Clean towels and sheets 

• Hot water, period. 

Given the importance of the water heater, do you actually know much about it? We’re here to give you some things to remember when it comes to maintaining, servicing, and replacing your water heater. 

The average lifespan of residential water heaters is 10-12 years. 

Natural gas and electric water heaters will commonly last about a decade before you need to consider replacing the system. If you are unsure about the age of your water heater, the date the system was manufactured will be reflected in the serial number which is located on the identification tag on the water heater tank. 

Older water heaters are nothing to mess around with. A water heater that is ten years or older is at more risk of producing a leak and causing water damage to your home. If your water heater is in your attic or above the first floor, the possibility of catastrophic damage increases. Be sure you have your water heater maintenance annually to prevent any leaks from damaging your home. 

The most usual failure of residential water heaters that will require replacement is a leaking tank. 

It is best to have your plumbing expert install the water heater in a drain pan with piping that allows the pan to drain to the outside of your home and minimize the possibility of water damage. All water heaters should have a working 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 disconnect should be located within reach. 

If a water heater is “undersized,” especially a gas water heater, the system will malfunction in a shorter period of time. 

When a gas water heater is routinely depleted of hot water due to substantial hot water utilization, the gas burner fires more frequently which can create heavy condensation on the tank exterior. The condensation can cause more rapid deterioration of the steel tank. Additionally, the severe heat from the gas burner on the bottom of the water heater tank can also take its toll on the glass lining on the interior of the tank, which reduces the life cycle of the water heater. 

Water Heater sizing is an important replacement consideration. 

All water heaters are under pressure from the water supply, and as water is heated, it expands 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, providing the location will fit the larger size. The larger tank will also give you more hot water capacity.