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

Your hot water heater is probably the most underrated machine in your home. Think about it – without your water heater, you couldn’t have any of the following: 

  • Hot showers 
  • Toasty baths 
  • Clean dishes 
  • Clean towels and sheets 
  • Hot water, period. 

Given the importance of the water heater, do you truly know a good amount about it? We’re here with some things to keep in mind 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 look into replacing the appliance. If you are unsure about the age of your water heater, the date the system was manufactured will be shown in the serial number which can be found on the identification tag on the water heater tank. 

Aging water heaters are nothing to take lightly. A water heater that is a decade or older is at higher risk of springing a leak and resulting in water damage to your home. If your water heater is positioned in your attic or above the ground floor, the chance of catastrophic damage rises. Be sure you have your water heater maintenance yearly to avoid any leaks from damaging your home. 

The most typical breakdown of residential water heaters that will require replacement is a leaking tank. 

It is highly recommended to have your plumbing expert install the water heater in a drain pan with piping that enables the pan to drain outside your home and lower the potential of water damage. All water heaters should have a working and obtainable 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 within reach. 

If a water heater is “undersized,” especially a gas water heater, the tank will fail in a shorter time span. 

When a gas water heater is routinely drained of hot water due to significant hot water usage, the gas burner discharges repeatedly which can create heavy condensation on the exterior of the tank. The condensation can result in more speedy decomposition of the steel tank. Also, the severe heat from the gas burner on the base of the water heater tank can also deteriorate the glass lining on the inside of the tank, which reduces the lifespan of the water heater. 

Water Heater sizing is an important replacement issue. 

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

Savings For You

See All Offers Here >
Service Experts Advantage Program logo

Make No Payments for 30 Days!

  • Upgrade to Worry-Free Comfort with the Advantage Program and make NO payments for 30 days!
print
parts and labor icon

$50 OFF Any Repair

  • Save $50 on a Paid Service
  • Written 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
  • Plus, ask how to save an additional 15% and waive your trip charge!
print

© 2024 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.