[Bay Kid]

My hot water heater is a 2004 located in the garage. It looks great and heats the water well. It doesn't have an expansion tank. Should I be looking to replace this now?

[lkagele]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

My hot water heater is a 2004 located in the garage. It looks great and heats the water well. It doesn't have an expansion tank. Should I be looking to replace this now?

Life of a WH is around 10 years +/-. You can wait for it to spring a leak or replace now. Depends on your appetite for risk management.

Replaced mine last year at 10 years old. Since yours isn't broken, you might want to consider alternatives to traditional WH. In-line heaters are popular. I went with a hybrid heat pump option. Caught a great price and with the tax credit, total price was only around $1800.

[Topspinmo]

You’re on borrowed time. I imagine code will require expansion tank. Never mentioned it was gas or electric? Electric usually cheaper.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

You’re on borrowed time. I imagine code will require expansion tank. Never mentioned it was gas or electric? Electric usually cheaper.

Some plumbers will refer to the replacement as a "repair" and not install an expansion tank. OP, if you do replace the water heater, I would recommend that you insist on any quote to include an expansion tank. Also, you should get an overflow pan under the water heater, if you don't already have one. These are both code requirements today.

[villagetinker]

Ours was about the same age, the expansion tank had failed (full of water), and I happened to notice water leaking at the top of the tank, replaced immediately, along with a new expansion tank. Note this was an electric water heater.

[DARFAP]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Ours was about the same age, the expansion tank had failed (full of water), and I happened to notice water leaking at the top of the tank, replaced immediately, along with a new expansion tank. Note this was an electric water heater.

Replaced our expansion tank about 3 years ago. A neighbor made us smart on it. YouTube has videos on how to do it. Went to my son's house in NW FL, found that his exp tank was bad, and replaced it. My current exp tank is still good.

[MrFlorida]

Yes, it would be wise to replace it before it leaks...you are long overdue.

[CarlR33]

Wow, your on borrowed time. I could not get more than 5 years out of the one up north. I hear the new ones need flushed every so often so check the owners manual of your new one for that maintenance tip.

[Tvflguy]

Replaced our electric HW heater earlier this year. It was 10 years old and started to leak. Fortunately the plastic bin held the water and drained it outside.
$910 total for Michael Scott to replace. New Rheem with new expansion tank and bin. Great job. Perfect.

[boxcarwilly]

Talked w Mike Scott rep at Ocala home show...they have some some clients with 18 year old plus water heaters..heaters are drain flushed yearly with a garden hose connection at the base.Our heater is 2009..regular flush,one lower element and new expansion tank 2 years ago.

[MikeN]

You are on borrowed time with that. I know the on demand systems cost more initially but within a very short period you will recoup the difference in energy savings. Good luck and let us know what you decide please

[bowlingal]

Bay Kid, the expansion tanks are required here in Fl. If you ever need new home insurance, they will most likely require you purchase a new water heater. Consider yourself very lucky yours lasted 20 years, is it electric or gas? A new electric one is about $900 with Mike Scott Plumbing. But, don't be surprised it you have problems in the near future with your 20 year old water heater. Better to replace now, before any surprises.

[Janie123]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

My hot water heater is a 2004 located in the garage. It looks great and heats the water well. It doesn't have an expansion tank. Should I be looking to replace this now?

I had mine replaced as we were adding a gas line to a new pool heater and lanai grill. It was only 8 years old and we saw this as an opportunity to switch to tankless and move it to the outside of the house freeing up enough room in the garage to move an old refrigerator out there. Plus, when we remodeled the bathroom, wife put in a larger soaking tub and the 40 gallon water heater was not keeping up.

And BTW, it’s just a water heater… no need to heat hot water… LOL

[Switter]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

My hot water heater is a 2004 located in the garage. It looks great and heats the water well. It doesn't have an expansion tank. Should I be looking to replace this now?

I just replaced mine (gas) and it was a 2002. When I bought the house two years ago I knew I was going to have to replace it. Not sure how it lasted that long but it did. It was about $1300 installed. There is also a $300 rebate from TECO for gas.

[Elixir34]

Replaced my leaking water heater expansion tank last December (new one, $30 at Lowe’s). It was fourteen years old. It had a sticker on it saying “This device will leak. Replace when seven years old.”

BTW … part of the procedure to install a new expansion tank of to pre-pressurize it with air to your water pressure. I read my water pressure with a test gauge. It was 65 psi.

Note that I did not replace my 14-year-old water heater. Will put that on my ToDo list.