I am looking at a 15 year old water heater and thinking I should replace it. An ounce of prevention...

What say the hive?

If it's easily accessible and easy to check for leaks, let it run IMHO. If its in the attic (WHAT ASSHOLE EVER DREAMED THIS UP?), its time. I had an attic WH leak in Texas and what a PITA.

Good Luck.


RMD

quote:

Originally posted by rainman64:
I am looking at a 15 year old water heater and thinking I should replace it. An ounce of prevention...

What say the hive?

Well considering I just yesterday replaced a 15 year old water heater, I say NOW.

When the cost of a repair is better spent towards a new unit.

When the parts are no longer available for a repair (unlikely).

When it starts leaking.

*I don't replace my vehicle's engine when it's still running fine, just because, you know good measure and all.

Replaced mine last week after it leaked from my basement laundry room where it was kept into the finished part of my basement. Mild to moderate leak, moderate damage to my finished basement. I got all the wet carpet, pad, tack strip and content removed before mildew set in. I put fans and a big dehumidifier in the area and there is no mold. Not a major crisis but a Big PITA though. Moral of the story is water heaters sometimes leak when they fail. Do you want the experience I just had? Indulge your paranoia and replace it, 15 years seems like a long service life.

Look into a tankless water heater, on demand, no limits to supply, no tank to keep heating constantly, reduced footprint.

If you have NG or LP, it's the way to go.

I've been told that typical water heaters have a useful life of 10 years

I replace mine after 10 years - working or not because I can't afford to repair the damage from a leak

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
When the cost of a repair is better spent towards a new unit.

When the parts are no longer available for a repair (unlikely).

When it starts leaking.

*I don't replace my vehicle's engine when it's still running fine, just because, you know good measure and all.

My answer exactly, and my cold water heater is slightly over 19 years old.

The last water heater I had fail was 2 years old. Yeah, it was still in warranty but it made a big damn mess with all the water it leaked overnight. I noticed it the next morning and shut it off and started the cleanup.

I would replace it when it fails or you can no longer get parts.

My dad was a plumber and he always told us that water heaters typically last ten years.

If I were you, I’d replace it asap. But I’m anal about stuff like that. I’ve seen how much damage a leaking WH can cause. I also replace my washing machine hoses every 5 years regardless...they are rubber an it breaks down. Nothing like a leak while you’re at work all day to come home to an inch of throughout the house

quote:

Originally posted by Flash-LB:

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
When the cost of a repair is better spent towards a new unit.

When the parts are no longer available for a repair (unlikely).

When it starts leaking.

*I don't replace my vehicle's engine when it's still running fine, just because, you know good measure and all.

My answer exactly, and my cold water heater is slightly over 19 years old.

+2 Why incur an expense when you don't have to yet.

The new one would probably crap out in six months to about a year and a half

I guess I was either lucky or they just built them a lot better then. We bought this house in 1994 and it had a 6 year warrantied water heater dated 1991 in the cellar. We moved it once in 1998 during a remodel and it finally started leaking in 2017.

My townhome was built in 2002 & the gas water heater lasted about 15 years. The problem was that under the water heater was a drain & no water showed in the pan. My water & gas bill doubled & I did not know the water heater was leaking.

My last two took a shit around five years. Las Vegas water is hard (pun) on them. I date them at install so I know.

8-10 years...$900 42 gal installed here in coastal eastern FL

Mine's currently 18 years old <knocks wood>. It's in the furnace room on concrete near a floor drain. I don't plan on replacing it until it leaks or it is beyond reasonable repair.


I might feel differently if it was in the attic or someplace that a leak could cause a lot of damage.

I wait until it doesnt work or leaks. Im fortunate that mine is located in it's own closet outside of the house, so no further issues when it does leak.

Here's my last one that I had replaced when it leaked a few years ago (about 10 years old).



Mysterious gelatinous globs came out. Hard water?

Mine is 21yrs old in our basement about four feet away from the sump pump...I'll replace it when it dies. Showing zero signs of leakage.

While in the business we replaced on average one a week. They mostly fail between 6 and 8 years it seemed. A disappointing few didn't last the warrantee out and because we were stand up guys with very loyal customers we furnished the labor for free and we never had an issue getting a new heater from the supplier 100% no charge.

However, if it last ten it might go on to 15 or more it seemed. I have replaced a few at 20 or over.

If it is in a place that will cause damage replace it sooner. Doh! I moved mine to the garage... out of the house. Moved the laundry out there too! Couple thing less to worry about.

I also turn my water off when on vacation... My dad's construction company and I repaired a LOT of water damaged houses.