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Started By
Message
Changing water heater proactively
Posted on 10/10/21 at 11:41 am
Posted on 10/10/21 at 11:41 am
I have a 15 year old water heater, exhibiting some rust on the bottom of the tank.
Long story, short, I bought a new water heater to replace it, although it is not actually leaking.
Do you typically replace water heaters before they leak, or wait until they do?
Any other maintenance you do to them, like flushing them out, anode replacement, etc?
Details: 80 gallon Whirlpool electric, manufactured 2006. Location: controlled environment basement.
We have a whole house Rainsoft water system.
Long story, short, I bought a new water heater to replace it, although it is not actually leaking.
Do you typically replace water heaters before they leak, or wait until they do?
Any other maintenance you do to them, like flushing them out, anode replacement, etc?
Details: 80 gallon Whirlpool electric, manufactured 2006. Location: controlled environment basement.
We have a whole house Rainsoft water system.
9
Posted on 10/10/21 at 12:05 pm to East Coast Band
I am proactively changing my 2 in Nov or Dec but they are original to the house 1993 but they are in the attic so leakage is a more serious concern (and yes they have a catch pan with drainage to the outside but still…..) 
In a basement, unless finished, that should be a lesser concern. But you have the replacement water heater, might well install it just to make it functions properly while it has a warranty.
I have flushed them on occasion, tried to replace the anode 6 or 7 years ago but the plugs were frozen into the heater, kroil oil and cheater pipe didn’t help, and I was afraid of causing damage to the heater from excess force so I let it go. I guess the moral of that story is don’t wait 20 years to change your anode.
In a basement, unless finished, that should be a lesser concern. But you have the replacement water heater, might well install it just to make it functions properly while it has a warranty.
I have flushed them on occasion, tried to replace the anode 6 or 7 years ago but the plugs were frozen into the heater, kroil oil and cheater pipe didn’t help, and I was afraid of causing damage to the heater from excess force so I let it go. I guess the moral of that story is don’t wait 20 years to change your anode.
This post was edited on 10/10/21 at 3:08 pm
Posted on 10/10/21 at 12:35 pm to East Coast Band
One of my two busted a couple weeks ago. 1985 water heater. Going to go ahead and replace the second one while I’m at it
Posted on 10/10/21 at 12:57 pm to East Coast Band
Not a damn thing wrong with being proactive. Why wait until the one you have leaks or breaks in some way and then be without hot water until you change them out, or deal with water leaking, etc.
I changed out my central air and heat 3 years ago and the one I removed was still functioning fine, but it was 29 years old and I wasn't going to risk it going out in the summer, so I swapped the whole system out in the spring.
You have the water heater, install it and be done with it.
I changed out my central air and heat 3 years ago and the one I removed was still functioning fine, but it was 29 years old and I wasn't going to risk it going out in the summer, so I swapped the whole system out in the spring.
You have the water heater, install it and be done with it.
Posted on 10/10/21 at 2:00 pm to East Coast Band
Location: controlled environment basement.
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Just because you see some rust on the bottom doesn't mean there is rust inside. Or, that it's getting ready to leak.
I have rentals along with my own house and do not change until they quit or leak typically.
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Just because you see some rust on the bottom doesn't mean there is rust inside. Or, that it's getting ready to leak.
I have rentals along with my own house and do not change until they quit or leak typically.
Posted on 10/10/21 at 5:54 pm to East Coast Band
I had one about that age and asked my plumber about replacing it. He acted like I was crazy for considering replacement while the old one worked, so I rode it another couple years until it failed.
Wasn’t a big risk for me because it is in the garage and hurts nothing if it leaks, and I can get someone out same day to replace one. If it was in the attic, I might have gone ahead and changed out early.
Wasn’t a big risk for me because it is in the garage and hurts nothing if it leaks, and I can get someone out same day to replace one. If it was in the attic, I might have gone ahead and changed out early.
Posted on 10/10/21 at 6:29 pm to East Coast Band
Be proactive replacing anode rods and you don't have to replace water heaters.
Posted on 10/10/21 at 7:32 pm to East Coast Band
I have two new ones sitting next to my old ones in the attic. I plan on swapping them out as soon as I can get in the attic and not get heat stroke.
Posted on 10/10/21 at 10:03 pm to notsince98
quote:
Be proactive replacing anode rods and you don't have to replace water heaters.
Exactly right….replace anode every 5-7 years and you will never buy another water heater.
Posted on 10/11/21 at 10:13 am to East Coast Band
I tried to flush my old heater out and ended up just stirring up the rust. It was 29 years old. ended up with clogged faucets through my house. I bought the house about ten years ago with this water heater in it and I doubt the new one will last half this long. So I will change mine out every 8 years or so just to avoid the inevitable.
Posted on 10/11/21 at 12:43 pm to East Coast Band
Hell, I proactively replace the battery in my truck every four years right before winter. F being stranded somewhere or dealing with that on an unexpected morning trying to leave for work.
Posted on 10/11/21 at 12:49 pm to southern686
quote:
Hell, I proactively replace the battery in my truck every four years right before winter. F being stranded somewhere or dealing with that on an unexpected morning trying to leave for work.
That makes two of us but I'm also going to change the water heater in this house we just bought. It's original. 19 years old.
Posted on 10/11/21 at 3:33 pm to southern686
quote:
Hell, I proactively replace the battery in my truck every four years right before winter. F being stranded somewhere or dealing with that on an unexpected morning trying to leave for work.
Smart - I change mine at 3 years as my auto guy says the avg life of a battery in the deep south is about 38 months give or take.
Posted on 10/12/21 at 7:08 am to prestigeworldwide
quote:
prestigeworldwide
quote:
CrawDude
Glad I'm not the only one
You have no idea how many people call me crazy for doing so.
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