So we noticed our water wasnt hot for more than 10-15 minutes. The water heater is from 1972. So I checked the elements one was 12.6 ohms the other was 13.4 so they checked good. So I removed the drain cover and noticed the bottom of the tank is rusted to pits. I have a home warranty, pay 75.00 they fix what needs to be done. So I called them. My question is will they try to just clean it out or should I demand replacement? When I opened the drain to see if it was badly clogged it spat and sputtere and the water was brown.... it did clear up after a minute or two.
reasons to replace a water heater.
- Thread starter ram_man
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I'd insist them in replacing your water heater with a new electric storage type, regardless of warranty type.
Yours is pretty rotten the way I see it. No way of salvaging it .
Q.
Yours is pretty rotten the way I see it. No way of salvaging it .
Q.
1972! I'm lucky to get 7 yrs out of them.
Originally Posted By: Quest
I'd insist them in replacing your water heater with a new electric storage type, regardless of warranty type.
Yours is pretty rotten the way I see it. No way of salvaging it .
Q.
+1 - think of it this way, it's going to have to be replaced soon. Would you rather do it now or spring a leak in the middle of the night while you're snoring away or perhaps during the day while you're at work and you get to come home to a mess?
I'd insist them in replacing your water heater with a new electric storage type, regardless of warranty type.
Yours is pretty rotten the way I see it. No way of salvaging it .
Q.
+1 - think of it this way, it's going to have to be replaced soon. Would you rather do it now or spring a leak in the middle of the night while you're snoring away or perhaps during the day while you're at work and you get to come home to a mess?
Definitely replace it. Mine was changed out 2 weeks ago. Sprang a leak at noon, called my service provider, it was changed out and up and running by 8:00PM same day.
Lasted 11 years according to the service sticker. They changed the powered venting (mandatory) to meet current code (nat gas) which was my $180 cost.
Lasted 11 years according to the service sticker. They changed the powered venting (mandatory) to meet current code (nat gas) which was my $180 cost.
I think I'd shut the water off to it so you don't flood the area. Even if it lets go the contents think of how many gallons will be all over. Hopefully, it's in the garage or something.
A plumber would probably say change it. It looks rough in the picture, can't imagine what inside looks like. The brown rust water from that blowdown is your biggest indicator about that.
What is the average life of a natural gas-fired water heater? Mine is approaching 20 years old. It works great, no problems, but I am wondering if I should replace it pre-emptively.
Originally Posted By: btanchors
What is the average life of a natural gas-fired water heater? Mine is approaching 20 years old. It works great, no problems, but I am wondering if I should replace it pre-emptively.
Depends on the hardness of the water in your area, and if the anode rod is replaced or not. Theoretically, you should get 20+ years out of a tank, if the anode is kept up. Sometimes, water can be soft that they last like ram_man's. What I like about those old tanks with the UNITROL is that they are reliable and require no electricity. Now days they're all power vented with logic boards that occasionally get fried and need 120V to work.
What is the average life of a natural gas-fired water heater? Mine is approaching 20 years old. It works great, no problems, but I am wondering if I should replace it pre-emptively.
Depends on the hardness of the water in your area, and if the anode rod is replaced or not. Theoretically, you should get 20+ years out of a tank, if the anode is kept up. Sometimes, water can be soft that they last like ram_man's. What I like about those old tanks with the UNITROL is that they are reliable and require no electricity. Now days they're all power vented with logic boards that occasionally get fried and need 120V to work.
Originally Posted By: steveh
They don't build them to last 40 years anymore!!
ain't that the truth!
They don't build them to last 40 years anymore!!
ain't that the truth!
I have after replacing ours about 2 years back. I get a decent amount of sediment out of it.
Is it true, if you replace the anode rod like you are suppose to every so many years the heater my last well into it's 20's.
Is it true, if you replace the anode rod like you are suppose to every so many years the heater my last well into it's 20's.
I just do a standard blow down on occasion, never a full drain and fill.
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Originally Posted By: Thermo1223
Is it true, if you replace the anode rod like you are suppose to every so many years the heater my last well into it's 20's.
The rod lasts longer many times if you don;t overheat the tank.
If the water is always scalding hot, then you are abusing your water heater.
Is it true, if you replace the anode rod like you are suppose to every so many years the heater my last well into it's 20's.
The rod lasts longer many times if you don;t overheat the tank.
If the water is always scalding hot, then you are abusing your water heater.
Originally Posted By: jrustles
Originally Posted By: btanchors
What is the average life of a natural gas-fired water heater? Mine is approaching 20 years old. It works great, no problems, but I am wondering if I should replace it pre-emptively.
Depends on the hardness of the water in your area, and if the anode rod is replaced or not. Theoretically, you should get 20+ years out of a tank, if the anode is kept up. Sometimes, water can be soft that they last like ram_man's. What I like about those old tanks with the UNITROL is that they are reliable and require no electricity. Now days they're all power vented with logic boards that occasionally get fried and need 120V to work.
So...why does a gas-fired water heater have an anode rod? Is it sacrificial?
Originally Posted By: btanchors
What is the average life of a natural gas-fired water heater? Mine is approaching 20 years old. It works great, no problems, but I am wondering if I should replace it pre-emptively.
Depends on the hardness of the water in your area, and if the anode rod is replaced or not. Theoretically, you should get 20+ years out of a tank, if the anode is kept up. Sometimes, water can be soft that they last like ram_man's. What I like about those old tanks with the UNITROL is that they are reliable and require no electricity. Now days they're all power vented with logic boards that occasionally get fried and need 120V to work.
So...why does a gas-fired water heater have an anode rod? Is it sacrificial?
Originally Posted By: steveh
They don't build them to last 40 years anymore!!
I shed tear when we sold my grandfather's house. He had a very old but very good copper tank water heater. They wouldn't let the house be sold because the unit was "unsafe" due to age. Nevermind the fact it did leak anywhere, be it water/gas/combustion.
They don't build them to last 40 years anymore!!
I shed tear when we sold my grandfather's house. He had a very old but very good copper tank water heater. They wouldn't let the house be sold because the unit was "unsafe" due to age. Nevermind the fact it did leak anywhere, be it water/gas/combustion.
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