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Originally Posted by retiredguy123
Thanks for your comments. I would just add that my water heater is not located near an interior wall. One side is adjacent to the garage door and the other side is adjacent to the exterior wall to the front porch. A leak would not cause any damage to the interior of the house. I would also take issue with anyone who claims that they can "flush" out the sediment through the drain valve. The drain valve only has about a quarter inch or less of free area for water to flow through, and much of the sediment will be clumped together inside of the tank. If the manufacturer intended for the tank to be flushed, they would need to provide a much larger valve for flushing. You can drain the tank, but you cannot flush it out. I don't think that the typical homeowner does any maintenance on their water heater. This makes sense to me because the water heater will last at least 10 years with no maintenence, and it is one of the least expensive appliances in your house, about the same cost as a microwave oven.
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Basically, I agree with what your are saying for an older tank that's never been maintained but if you start flushing out a brand new tank after the first year and every year after, you won't have that flood of sediment that you are talking about. Also, with an electric tank, if really doesn't matter how much sediment is on the bottom of the tank as long as it doesn't build up to where it reaches the lower heating element. Sediment mainly effects the efficiency of a gas hot water tank since it will coat and insulate the bottom of the tank blocking some of the heat from the gas below.
In your case, since the tank is by the garage door and there is nothing to hurt if and when it leaks, I would get the cheapest tank I can get installed and when it leaks just turn off the water, cut the feed pipes, drain the tank and kick it to the curb for special pickup to get. Then get another cheap one. That will be the most cost effective for someone in your situation. For everyone else who has to worry about water damage, best to get a reliable tank. Also, I'm not sure if any of you had this happen yet but my home insurance company wanted proof of when my hot water heater was installed. They wouldn't renew if the tank was too old. So, that eliminates keeping your tank for more than 10 years depending on your insurer.