Maintenance like with everything else is key. The water where I live, the only way it could be harder is if it was frozen. After burning out lower elements every few years I decided to flush tank once a year. Pain in the *** Job but 8 years still on same lower element. That scale builds up, buries the element and it burns out. Works for me
hey buddy...change the anode rod. its a common part that sits on top of the tank. it will look like a hex nut and is 3/4" Comes in two flavors. Aluminum or magnesium. Its made to attract hard water build up. The element will last a lot longer. If you have never changed it, then it is time, if you have hard water. flush the tank then install the rod. it will last longer. i'm surprised you haven't sprung a leak yet. .magnesium is a better choice.
My tank is natural gas, 30 years old and flushed a few times. I'm afraid to change the anode rod. With my luck I'll ruin the tank. Pretty hard water here too. Lots of iron.
Agree on the tankless water heater. We put one in when we bought this house in 2013 and it's been very reliable, had a minor issue with it in 2019, otherwise it has been excellent. I will add that it is important to keep the faucet aerators clean as well, found that out in December 2024.
fair enough, draining the tank is a slow process if you dont use a pump. The liberty 331 transfer pump... ( look it up if you wish) its designed to do just that. 1400 gpm its gets the job done. a little pricey, yes...but i have tried others...sure, but i trust American made and they are built tough. made in New Jersey/New york..around there.
That's cold for you guys down south. Hoping for spring soon.
I valved my hot water tank, know it’s against standard building practices. I shut off water supply and feed to house , with breakers off, open drain and open supply line. Flush for 1/2 hour though a strainer amazing amount of crap comes out.
oh yeah. heaps and heaps of sediment build up over time if your not careful.
Put a minus in front of that number…
I phoned my plumber today. In our area, he said the on demand systems, due to our water composition, plug up really fast. His suggestion was to steer away from them.
Only-10F here now but headed down, also no snow. If it would snow it would warm up, ugh don’t know what’s worse
I like the snow better. Our rivers are drying up and the fish are depleting. Just because it is cold does not mean climate change is not an issue.
I've read that too.
