Water Heater: When to replace?

[Randy1]

Wells and copper pipes are not best buds. Not uncommon for copper pipes to get thin then crack on well water albeit it takes a long time.

 

[schlotz]

Dave, in our previous house we went through 2 heaters over the course of 26 years. First lasted 16 years but the second only 8 years. Both were gas and fed from city water. We built and moved in to our downsized retirement home in early 2021. We are on well here and have a Nelson Iron Filter (AIO-C1OT) that intern feeds our softener Nelson (Vista 32). Our AOSmith Commercial water heater runs on LP. Previous heaters in the old house were not commercial grade. So far so good. Really love the added Iron filter which also does a great job of eliminating the sulfur. I would say replace you heater now before it causes a real problem.

 

[sandyut]

Dave, in our previous house we went through 2 heaters over the course of 26 years. First lasted 16 years but the second only 8 years. Both were gas and fed from city water. We built and moved in to our downsized retirement home in early 2021. We are on well here and have a Nelson Iron Filter (AIO-C1OT) that intern feeds our softener Nelson (Vista 32). Our AOSmith Commercial water heater runs on LP. Previous heaters in the old house were not commercial grade. So far so good. Really love the added Iron filter which also does a great job of eliminating the sulfur. I would say replace you heater now before it causes a real problem.

Definitely leaning that way. Given we dont know the history I feel more inclined to get after it on our schedule rather than wait for that flood.

 

[schlotz]

Water heater blow outs are no good, don't ask me how I know!

 

[Brokenhandle]

Water heater blow outs are no good, don't ask me how I know!

Never good when pressure tanks self relocate either!

Ryan

 

[schlotz]

Never good when pressure tanks self relocate either!

Ryan

Yikes!

 

[clifish]

well in FL now for fil surgery, my daughter gets home at 11pm from a conference in Philly. House down to 50 deg and burner showing the "red screen of death) which means it shut down. she resets the switch....goes down the basement 20 minutes later and water all over the floor. She vacuums up about 60 gallons, and shut off house water. Emergency service never returned my call.

Turns out the expansion tank liner broke and filled up, blew the temp valve on top of the heater. Getting fixed today but will be replaced. Need to re-read this thread when I get home and research a new NG hot water heater.

 

[sandyut]

well in FL now for fil surgery, my daughter gets home at 11pm from a conference in Philly. House down to 50 deg and burner showing the "red screen of death) which means it shut down. she resets the switch....goes down the basement 20 minutes later and water all over the floor. She vacuums up about 60 gallons, and shut off house water. Emergency service never returned my call.

Turns out the expansion tank liner broke and filled up, blew the temp valve on top of the heater. Getting fixed today but will be replaced. Need to re-read this thread when I get home and research a new NG hot water heater.

Sorry to hear. I have had water heaters blow at every home I have owned. 2 in the last one. Some were old and one was 2 years old. Found one after coming home from a vacation, wife says "honey theres no hot water". It had been leaking a while... The other one at the same house, I ran down to the food storage in the basement right after getting up for work to step into a couple inches of water.. That was a big flood.

Hope nothing was damaged.

 

[clifish]

Sorry to hear. I have had water heaters blow at every home I have owned. 2 in the last one. Some were old and one was 2 years old. Found one after coming home from a vacation, wife says "honey theres no hot water". It had been leaking a while... The other one at the same house, I ran down to the food storage in the basement right after getting up for work to step into a couple inches of water.. That was a big flood.

Hope nothing was damaged.

Nope, home from FL now and nothing terrible. Her and the boyfriend did great shutting off the water and vacuuming up the mess. Everything back up and running but need to research replacement. When I installed this water heater I went big as I had 17 fish tanks up to 125 gal in the house. I was changing 3-500 gal every other week @80 Deg. Got rid of most of the tanks (that knocked $350/mo off in electric). So we will see what capacity/brand I go with.