Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123
I agree with most of what you said, except for a few things. If your water heater has an overflow drain pan, place a battery water alarm in it and it will alert you to a leak. My water heater has a valve on the incoming cold water pipe that will allow you to shut off the hot water, but still maintain pressure on the cold water side, so you are not totally without water. I would suggest checking this out. Also, in most cases, a slow leak will not cause any damage if it leaks into the drain pan and is drained to the outside. Also, replacing a water heater in an emergency will not cost double in The Villages. There a several plumbing companies who will replace a water heater in one day or less, and they will not charge a premium price. Mike Scott Plumbing will replace an electric water heater for about $900. I don't think they ever charge an after-hour surcharge.
|
I agree, there are several companies who serve the Villages, like Mike Scott Plumbing who will not take advantage of your situation but on the other hand, if you discover your tank leaking and you need to shut off the water to the tank, you will be without hot water for the lenghth of time it takes to schedule and install a replacement. And there are lot's of companies that will charge your "extra" for that same day service. In this situation you will be installing what ever tank they have on-hand, good or bad.
As far as the drain pan is concerned, you are correct, but as I mentioned very few homeowners ever look or maintain or do anything concering their hot water heater after it's installed which is the problem. The newer Rheem and AO Smith and probably others now have a built in leak detection and water shutoff system in their premium water heaters so if the tank leaks you are alerted and can investigate what's going on and take the appropriate action.
I can tell you, I've heard several stories where a hot water tank had a leak, not sure why the pan didn't catch the water, but, the leak eventually did a lot of water damage to the area where the water heater was located and then traveled into connected rooms. In one case, where this happened, the homeowner only fixed the visible damage then when the home was sold the inspection picked up the damage and mold in the walls from the water heater leak.
So at the end of the day, the choice is to do nothing, gamble when the tank leaks and if you don't discover it in time, deal with the consequences. You can "be that guy" who can say his water heater lasted for 25 or 30 years with no maintenance and brag about it here on Talk of the Villages lol. Or you be proactive and maintain the heater and replace it after it's rated life is over under your own power and have the time to research a good unit that fits your needs and a company with a good reputation and price and schedule the install at your convenience.
A hot water heater is not very expensive and some are rated for 12 years so the amount of money you spend being proactive is worth the peace of mind for most here in the Villages.
AND don't forget to check you expansion tank on the water heater. These usually last about 5-6 years and when they fail can cause all kinds of problems with the plumbing in you home and effect the life of your water heater as well. This is another maintenance item most people don't take care of or even know about.