When should you replace your water heater?
The answer to this question depends on the nature of the water heater and its use. This article will discuss the various signs of ageing in a water heater, the different choices available to you and advice on your tank.
As for a electric water heater (..., 30, 40, 60, 100, ...) gallons of good quality, the average service life ranges from 10 – 12 years. It's important to emphasize the words “good quality”, because a basic water heater is not equipped with the same materials, which reduces its life expectancy. It's obvious that some water heaters will stop working before 10 years, while others will work like new after 15 years, for example.
Here are 4 signs that your water heater is nearing the end of its useful life
- Lack of hot water: Your hot water doesn't last long, the amount of hot water available has decreased (when you take a shower, for example, the water tends to become lukewarm more quickly).
- Water leak : There are brown rust stains on the tank, or the tank is starting to leak from the base. This is the result of a corrosion problem in the base and cannot be repaired.
- Very hot water : Water becomes very hot (hotter than usual). This may be due to a faulty element or thermostat, and may only require repair depending on the age of the appliance.
- Bad odor / cloudy water : If the water smells bad or becomes cloudy, this could be the result of bacteria or sediment that has accumulated in the tank.
If you don't see any of these signs and your water heater is 10 to 12 years old, we suggest you consult your contract with your insurance company to guide you in your decision. Some insurance companies will not reimburse damage if your tank has exceeded the age limit set out in your contract. In condos and apartments, it's not uncommon to be forced to change your tank as a preventive measure after 10 to 12 years.
Then, if you don't have any restrictions, it's time to make a decision. You can choose between preventively replacing your water heater when it reaches 10-12 years of age, or waiting until it stops working. On the other hand, if you wait until it stops working, there's a greater risk of the water heater breaking through due to rust, which could dirty your floor. Then you run the risk of running out of hot water until we can come and change your water heater (which shouldn't take too long!).
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