How to Maximize the Life of a Water Heater - Wisler Plumbing & Air

The oldest water heater that I’ve ever seen was made in 1952, and it’s actually still in service today. It’s been working for around six times the average age of today’s models. (Most water heaters have an average lifespan of 8 to 12 years.) Even though your system probably won’t last for sixty years, there are some things you can do to extend its life.

Get a Professional Grade Water Heater

If you have to replace your water heater, make sure you buy a professional grade system. That’s going to be a good start towards maximizing its life. If you already have a water heater and you’re trying to get the most out of it, your options might be a bit limited. I would definitely recommend performing the following preventative maintenance steps.

Flush the Tank

Performing a good flush on the tank itself consists of hooking up a hose, surging the pressure, and making sure that all the sediment is pushed out. If the tank has set for a long time without any maintenance/flushing, you may not be able to get any water out of it at all. This is one of the items that you may not be able to do if you have an existing water heater that hasn’t been maintained.

Inspect the Anode Rod

The anode rod protects the water heater’s tank from forming holes. Once the anode rod is completely depleted, it will stop doing its job of protecting the tank. The anode rod should be replaced every three to four years, depending on the water quality. If the anode rod is reduced to about 25%, we recommend replacing it.

Check the Water Heater Installation

One of the worst things that can happen is when there’s a leak in the pipe above the water heater. When that kind of leak occurs, water can run down inside the water heater. If the insulation surrounding the water heater’s tank gets wet, the entire metal tank is basically sitting in a barrel of water. That will cause it to rust very quickly. This kind of leak needs to be addressed immediately. If it’s bad enough, it will really ruin the water heater. (There’s no way to remove the moisture once the insulation gets wet.)

Address the Water Quality

Poor water quality is another thing that can quickly damage a water heater. Calcium, iron, or acid will accumulate and/or settle to the bottom of the tank and cause premature failure. To prevent this from happening, make sure you’re putting good water into the water heater. That can be one of the biggest players in extending its life.

Prevent Moisture

Damp, moist environments are bad for the water heater. (Most of the parts of the water heater are made of metal.) If you have a basement that stays humid or floods easily, then the water heater’s insulation will get wet.

These are just a few things that you can do to maximize the life of your water heater. It’s advantageous to protect it, especially because it’s usually a significant replacement to get it replaced. If you have any questions about taking care of your water heater, or you need to get a new water heater installed in your home, contact us online or give us a call at (540) 483-9382.