Home Maintenance Tips: Know the Age of Your Water Heater

There are some things that get better with age, but a water heater isn’t one of them. Depending on the manufacturer’s suggested service life, the lifespan of a water heater is about 8 to 12 years. Unfortunately, homeowners are often completely unaware of the need to maintain and replace this household appliance. We have had too many clients end up with a flood due to a cracked water heater, which is why we strongly recommend replacement of a water heater at about 8 years. If you wait longer, you’re essentially rolling the dice that your water heater will malfunction and flood your home.

In addition, Hatfield Builders & Remodelers encourages you to be proactive by performing regularly scheduled water heater maintenance to extend the life of your unit and save on energy consumption.

• Drain the tank periodically. Sediment and mineral build-up can cause damage to a tank. By periodically draining the tank every 6 to 12 months, depending on manufacturer’s recommendations, you can clear out these materials that impede performance. Most manufacturers recommend doing this at least once per year.
• Insulate the water heater. You may be able to save on your utility bills by insulating a water heater. If your water heater feels warm to the touch, it should be insulated. Simply add a pre-cut blanket or water heater jacket, available at your local hardware store, to reduce heat loss and water heating costs. Newer water heaters may not require insulation.
• Get a professional inspection. Like many other home systems, it’s a good idea to schedule a professional inspection of your water heater once per year. A pro can drain the tank to remove sediment, if recommended; inspect the tank and connections for corrosion and wear; replace worn anode rods; check the pressure relief valve; and more.