Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123
If mine was leaking between 10 and 15 years, I would replace it. Otherwise, I will wait until it is 15 years old to replace. Being in the garage reduces the chance to have major damage when it leaks. Also, I have a battery-operated water alarm in the drain pan, which actually warned me of a pinhole leak in my expansion tank a few months ago. No damage.
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And don't forget the benefit of washing with all that rusty hot water from your tank rusting from the inside out. That stuff gets in your pipes so you are drinking it too. The rust and corrosion can't be seen, but it's there. You should search for hot water tanks on YouTube and watch one where they cut open the tank so you can see what it looks like after the anode rod is long gone.
Also, people might think they are saving money waiting until their tank fails but its just the opposite. Unless you are flushing it every year, there will be a ton of sediment in the tank by year 10 so it's efficiency goes way down, especially if its gas. So the few extra years you might get, you are wasting money using an inefficient heater.
If a new heater costs about $900-$1,200 installed, do the math, you save maybe $200 waiting till year 15 vs 10.
Just something to think about.