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

The water heater is probably the most underrated system in your home. Really – without your water heater, you wouldn’t have any of these perks: 

• Hot showers 
• Hot baths 
• Sanitized dishes 
• Sanitized towels and sheets 

• Hot water, period. 

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

The typical lifespan of residential water heaters is about ten to twelve years. 

Natural gas and electric water heaters will typically last about a decade before you need to think about replacing the system. If you aren’t sure what age your water heater is, the date the system was manufactured will be reflected in the serial number which you can find on the identification tag on the water heater tank. 

Older water heaters are nothing to take lightly. A water heater that is a decade or older is at greater 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 rises. Be sure you have your water heater maintenance every year to avoid any leaks from creating damage in your home. 

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

It is best to have your plumber install the water heater in a drain pan with piping that allows the pan to drain outside your home and minimize the possibility of water damage. Every water heater should have a working and reachable 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 placed nearby. 

If a water heater is “undersized,” in particular a gas water heater, the tank will malfunction in a shorter amount of time. 

When a gas water heater is routinely emptied of hot water due to substantial hot water usage, the gas burner is set off more often which can result in heavy condensation on the tank exterior. The condensation can result in more expeditious decomposition of the steel tank. Furthermore, the extreme heat from the gas burner on the base of the water heater tank can also cause damage to the glass lining on the inner section of the tank, which reduces the lifespan of the water heater. 

Water Heater sizing is a crucial replacement factor. 

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