Understandably, many homeowners in Lakeland are concerned about the life expectancy of their water heater. This component ranks among the most important parts of any residential plumbing system. While traditional water heaters tend to last around 10 years or so, tankless units have a life expectancy of up to 20 years. However, keep in mind that several factors can impact a water heater’s actual longevity.
What Influences a Water Heater’s Lifespan?
Maintenance
If you want to get the maximum life out of your water heater, make routine maintenance a top priority. Traditional water heaters feature an anode rod, which protects the tank from corrosion by attracting damaging elements. If this component isn’t replaced every three to five years, the tank may begin to gradually rust away.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing also recommends flushing your water heater at least once a year. This helps prevent sediment from collecting at the bottom of the unit, thus extending its lifespan.
Water Quality
Like the majority of areas in Florida, Lakeland has hard water. This is a condition where there’s an excessive amount of natural minerals in the water, including calcium and magnesium. While hard water isn’t known to be a health hazard, it can dramatically shorten the life of your plumbing components. Your home’s water heater is certainly susceptible to being damaged.
As scale deposits build up within your water heater, the unit begins to experience greater wear and tear. To help prevent problems associated with hard water, many experts advise installing a modern water filtration system. Aside from enhancing the longevity of your water heater and other plumbing components, it will also ensure healthier water.
Installation
Even if you purchase a top-quality water heater, it can still fail prematurely due to improper installation. This is a key reason why Benjamin Franklin Plumbing recommends hiring a licensed plumber to do the job.
Allowing an amateur to handle the installation can lead to a lot of trouble. Leaks, uneven heating, and low pressure are just a few of the potential issues that you could encounter.
Household Size & Water Usage
If your water heater is too small to handle your household’s water usage, it’s bound to have a shorter lifespan. Depending on the size of your family, you may want to have a bigger tank installed.
What Are the Signs That My Water Heater Is On Its Last Leg?
If you notice that your water heater is leaking, don’t want to take action. While you can purchase a new tank, upgrading to a new unit may prove to be a more cost-effective option in the long run. When dealing with a dated water heater, more repairs will likely soon be needed.
Rising energy bills can also signal a failing water heater. As the unit continues to age, its inefficiency will only worsen. Of course, don’t overlook poor heating. Older units often struggle to provide a steady supply of hot water.
Of the signs of a defective water heater, discolored water is among the most noticeable. While the issue may simply stem from a degraded anode rod that needs to be replaced, don’t rule out a deteriorated tank.