Hot Water Heater Problems

Water heaters are one of those funny things that are a necessity and that we rely on pretty heavily but never really give much thought about in our day to day lives. Of course, that is only until they stop working! When you run into one of the various problems with hot water heaters, you quickly begin to realize that they, just like every other piece of mechanical equipment, do require some additional thought and maintenance from time to time.

Having been a maintenance technician and plumber for many years I have dealt with countless water heaters over the years. I would presume that is a safe estimate to say that more than ninety percent of hot water heater problems are a direct result of two things. Those being lack of care or maintenance and age. Like all good things in life, the age of a water heater directly relates to how well it functions and continues serving its purpose.

Below, you will find some more information that will serve to answer many of the common questions that we are asked by site visitors and homeowners. We encourage you to read through it and you may also use the navigation on the right to browse the site for more tips on repair and maintenance of your water heater.

What is the Average Life Span of a Water Heater?

First let me point out that the life span of any appliance does vary between different models and types. However, most cylindrical water heaters have an average life span of around 10 to 15 years, while many of the newer tankless water heaters have a lifespan of closer to 25 or 30 years. It is not uncommon to see these types of appliances meet or even exceed their life expectancy.

How long your water heater last will depend on the quality, brand, model, your quality of water, and a number of other components that make the system work. Water heaters generally have pretty generous warranties that come with them and before buying a new one, make sure that your appliance is not still covered by the manufacturer.

What Type of Routine Maintenance Should I be Doing on My Water Heater?

Every household appliance requires some form of maintenance, this includes common items like refrigerators, stoves, toilets and of course water heaters. Rather than list every item in detail on this page, I encourage you to take a look at our page on water heater maintenance for further details. I have however listed a quick list of maintenance items below that you can use a checklist for your regular yearly maintenance inspections.

1. Check, repair and replace the tank insulation as needed.
2. Check, repair and replace the pipe insulation as needed.
3. Adjust your temperature settings to the desired setting or manufacturer recommended settings.
4. Drain and flush the tank itself once a year.
5. Test your relief valve to ensure that it is working freely.
6. Check your anode rod for corrosion and replace as needed.

What Other Factors Might Cause Problems with a Water Heater?

Ahh, this is a very common question homeowners have and a good one at that. While water heaters themselves are fairly simple pieces of equipment, there are a number of factors that play a role in determining their life span and effectiveness. Here are some potential problems that you might consider:

1. Age – This is probably the most common reason for hot water heater problems. In fact, a good portion of water heaters never show signs of their age until one day when they simply stop working. See above for the average life span of a water heater and more information on this topic.
2. Maintenance – Most homeowners never consider maintaining their water heaters or even think about them for that matter. Just like every piece of equipment they do require some upkeep. If your water heater has not been maintained properly or at all over the years it can lead to loss of efficiency and/or it may stop working all together.
3. Hard Water – Hard water leads to corrosion which can lead to build-up inside the water heater. This can cause erosion both internally and externally on your water heater. It can also restrict the flow of water and cause a loss of heat mostly due to corrosion of the internal heating elements.
4. Electrical Issues – A lot of the older water heaters and some of the cheaper units available today have a tendency to suck up a lot of electricity. This if course varies based on how much hot water you are using in your house but it is a fairly common problem. In older homes especially, electrical wiring and outdated components can cause problems with your water heater. If the unit itself is not getting the needed power it may be overworking and draining the life right out of itself. You can usually look at the manufacturer specifications on the unit to determine how much power it should be getting and then use a volt and amp meter to determine whether those needs are being met.

With the proper care and maintenance, avoiding hot water heater problems is easy enough. You can use this site to educate yourself about how water heaters work and how to maintain them while enjoying hot water for many more years to come.