My hot water heater is not that old but it has lots of rust around the bottom, it still works fine but I'm wondering if it will breakdown or leak soon. I'm not looking forward to a freezing cold shower.
2006-12-20 06:09:22 · 13 answers · asked by BananaFool 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
speaking only from personal exp.Waterheaters last about 10 years before they start breaking down. All the working parts are inside what you are seeing as rusting. The flemsy exterior you can touch is only a cover and actually has no part in the function of the heater. Most heaters have 2 heating elements and sometimes they will burn out.Then sometimes a small pin hole will appear in the tank,and then you have to replace the entire heater.Elements can be replaced for around $50. Hope this helped
2006-12-20 06:20:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
when it comes to 'when will it go', always at the wrong time!! it could be leaking inside the shell of the heater or from sitting on the dampness of the basement floor. water heaters are made to last just long enough to get out of warranty. if you bought a 6 year, 7 or 8 is all you can expect to get out of it. 10 year, 12 and it's done. to find out what it's condition is like on the inside, try this, fill a white plastic cup with hot water, make sure it's hot, let it sit over night. look at the water from your faucet in the morning, if you can see rust particles replace it now. also, when you do replace it, have the plumber put it up on bricks so it isn't sitting on the concrete floor. hope this helps with your decision, good luck and happy holidays!
2006-12-20 14:35:06 · answer #2 · answered by car dude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've seen water heaters that were a year old and full of rust, then on the other hand, I've had house repairs that water heaters I know were in the house fifteen years and maybe more but looked brand new so....It's the conditions around the heater. In a damp dark basement, or a cool garage that's open all the time.
Mine is 12 years old, I've flushed it and took very good care of it, also painted it would you believe but, nothing is forever. I was just looking at new ones to figure what one is going to cost me.
2006-12-20 15:28:29 · answer #3 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be just the outer jacket that is rusting from a damp basement or it could be a small leak. If the tank is leaking replace. To keep from having a problem on the inside of water heaters it is always wise to check and if needed replace the anode rods they are metal rods that sacrafice themselves to corosion rather than letting the tank corrode. Just remember to shut the water off and the heater and partially drain the tank before replacing or checking the rods
2006-12-20 15:03:14 · answer #4 · answered by c m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should have a drain spigot (water hose thingy) at the bottom that you can hook a water hose to. Shut-off the incoming water (to the water heater), hook up the hose and drain you water heater. There's probably lots of sediment in your tank so let it flow out. Once done, disconnect the hose, close spigot and turn the water back on to fill up the tank. The rust means there's a leak or you're getting condensation, from the flame to the bottom of the heater. Clean it up and then recheck. You can hear drips sizzle on the hot metal down low.
2006-12-20 14:24:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First,if it's not that old then it shouldn't have rust at the bottom,
2nd, rust around the bottom is an idication that there has been a leak for some time, I would call a Plumber and have someone look at it now before it completely breaks!
2006-12-20 14:13:33 · answer #6 · answered by GiGi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU NEED TO CHECK THE YR OF THE HWH 1ST B4 ATTEMPTING TO GET A WARRANTY ON IT. IF ITS NEAR THE WARRANTY PERIOD, JUST CHANGE THE THING OUT IN THE MORNING AND BE GONE WITH IT.
THEY'RE MORE TROUBLE THAN THEY ARE WORTH. JUST ABOUT 200-250 FOR A GAS 50 GAL UNIT.
IF ITS RUSTY AS YOU SAY, GET ON WITH IT, ITS GOING TO GO SOONER OR LATER.
CHANGE OUT THE INLET PIPES WITH 4-5" BRASS NIPPLES AND FLEX TUBE TO THE SERVICE...ABOUT 18".
IF YOU HAVE GALVY PIPE COMING IN, ADD A DIALECTIC FITTING TO THE GALVY B4 THE FLEX BRASS, IT ALSO HAS PLASTIC DIVERT ER INTERNALLY.
ITS A SIMPLE JOB, BUT GIVE YOURSELF THE BETTER PART OF THE DAY TO ROUND UP ALL THE GEAR/SUPPLIES.
TEFLON, LIQUID TEFLON AND WRENCHES/CHANNEL-LOCKS ETC.
MAKE SURE WHEN YOU REPLACE THE GAS(?) THAT YOU CHANGE OUT THE PETCOCK TO A BALL VALVE IF NECESSARY.
2006-12-20 14:34:23 · answer #7 · answered by ticketoride04 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hot water heaters should last 10 years. If you've had it that long, you should replace it before it breaks and floods your house.
2006-12-20 14:11:52 · answer #8 · answered by dundalk1 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you can tell by...
1)your water will be freezing
2)you will smell gass near the water heater
3)the water heater will go cold then turn it's self off no matter how many times you turn it back on
2006-12-20 15:51:48 · answer #9 · answered by Cindy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would replace it as soon as you can. Rust is not a good sign. They are not that expensive.
2006-12-20 14:18:03 · answer #10 · answered by RayCATNG 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋