When Is It Time To Replace Your Hot Water Heater?

What is the lifespan of the average water heater? This is important information for homeowners to know. As their water heater gets older and begins to need part replacements, people want to know at what point replacing the parts is no longer cost effective. In general, based on a search of plumbing blog sites, most online plumbing experts describe the “average lifespan of a water heater” as somewhere in the neighborhood of 8-12 years, with variations. With that said, it is important to note that many plumbers take offense at the idea that a water heater has an average lifespan, especially if the figure will be used to determine when it is time to make a licensed Baltimore plumbers

On perusing through plumbing web sites, I noticed that a number of plumbers strongly recommended that owners go with the old heater as long as it holds out. Many people reported having heaters older than 20, 30 even 50 years old. Some of problems with older heaters involve corrosion. So while performance can be improved and leaks can be fixed with replacement parts, there is a danger that if corrosion is extensive the water heater will leak around the new part. Water heaters are more susceptible to corrosion than most plumbing appliances because they foster corrosion. Also, water heaters sometimes act as an electrical ground, and this stimulates corrosion.

Some reasonable indications for getting a new water heater include significant loss of hot water production capability, leaking around the plumbing fittings, obvious external signs of corrosion, and an age greater than 8 years, under these circumstances.

The bottom line, though, is if the heater begins to leak and water is dripping from the body than this is an indication of major corrosion and suggests the heater should be replaced.

Because of the danger of a heater bursting and causing a lot of damage from flooding, some plumbers will recommend replacing the heater as signs of corrosion mount, even though it still functions. Minor leaking is the herald to a more serious corrosion level that could cause the heater to burst.

This article was sponsored by A-1 Plumbing of Baltimore. The licensed Baltimore plumbers of A-1 are experienced in working with water heaters. If you live in the Baltimore Metro area and need work on your water heater they will be happy to be of assistance.