How to make your water heater last long

Through out the years I've replaced a lot of water heaters, and through out those years I've seen a lot of water heaters fail at different rates. I mostly see water heaters last 6-13 years and very rarely do I see them last 15-20 years but I have seen it. And unfortunately I'v also seen them fail as little as 1 year, but manufacturers do usually have a 6 year warranty so that's a relief. But manufacturers as far as I know don't cover labor charges to have them replaced, which could cost around $500. Here at true plumbing we offer $100 extended warranty to cover you in a case like that. But other than those rare instances of a lemon water heater there are plenty of steps that you can take to ensure your water heater last as long as it can instead of just barely making it past the 6 year warranty mark.

The 1st step you can take especially here in Phoenix, AZ and the surrounding cities is get your water heater flushed every year. The reason for flushing it is because in places like Phoenix with hard water you get a lot of mineral build and you get it fast. If you don't flush this out every year it can not only build up on the bottom but also on the surfaces near the top. The build up near the top can cake and make multiple layers on the heated metals and act like an insulation causing your gas or electric bill to be higher because now these surfaces are covered with an insulation. Below are images of how bad it gets in places like the valley.

These pictures are not rare cases, most of the homes who have there water heater replaced usually don't drain well or at all. I usually keep a rod in my truck just to break up the build up and get the water to come out of the heaters and sometimes I have to even pullout the actual valve just to get better flow. I also will not flush any water heaters that have not been flushed at all in the first 5 years of it being installed, because at that point knocking the build up loose could cause a leak in the tank.

Another step you can take to prevent the build up is getting a water softener installed. I know they are pricey but it will help and a lot people really enjoy the benefits a water softener. But if you don't see that as an option just go with a yearly flush since a lot of companies have deals on flushes. Also here at True Plumbing we do $50 water heater flushes quite often, and if you sign up for our newsletter you can these deals often along with more blogsthat give you insight to informative plumbing information such as this.

Now that we've talked about build up let's talk about how we can protect your tank from rusting & cracking. You may not know it but there's already a replaceable part in your water heater that prevents your tank from rusting on the inside and cracking. This part is called the anode rod, also called a sacrificial rod. This rod is made of certain metals that prevent your water heaters tank from getting rusted but in doing so it deteriorates and completely loses its sacrificial metals during the process. Not only will it need to be replaced due to corrosion but also from too much build up from a water heater that's never been flushed. The reason is that build up can completely cover the anode rod and protect the metals that are supposed to sacrifice themselves for your heaters tank.

Above are pictures of how anode rods deteriorate over time, and now you're probably wondering how often should you replace yours? It's recommended to do it every 3 to 5 years, but I also have heard it's best to do after the first year so it will last longer. either way it's always good to inspect it every year.

So to sum this all up you really only need to remember 2 things to make your water heater last a while.

1. Flush your water yearly

2. Replace the anode rod every 3-5 years