Hugh 0ne Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 (edited) I have a natural gas hot water heater in mah basement. How often should those be changed? Last thing I want is for that f*cker to spring a leak and flood mah basement. It was installed in 1999. What's the rule of thumb? I was thinking 10 years. Edited May 23, 2007 by Hugh 0ne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cre8tiff Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 I have a natural gas hot water heater in mah basement. How often should those be changed? Last thing I want is for that f*cker to spring a leak and flood mah basement. It was installed in 1999. What's the rule of thumb? I was thinking 10 years. When carbon monoxide kills the cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_gop_liars Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Why do want to heat your hot water??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefjay Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 I didn't think there was a hard rule for changing items like this. When they break they break and I didn't think when a Hot Water heater broke it would flood but I'm not an expert. Mine is pretty old too, maybe I should be pro-active and change it out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted May 23, 2007 Author Share Posted May 23, 2007 (edited) I didn't think when a Hot Water heater broke it would flood but I'm not an expert. Do you think the water will magically disappear if it springs a leak? Edited May 23, 2007 by Hugh 0ne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 I didn't think there was a hard rule for changing items like this. When they break they break and I didn't think when a Hot Water heater broke it would flood but I'm not an expert. Mine is pretty old too, maybe I should be pro-active and change it out? Those are my thoughts as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Why do want to heat your hot water??? Excellent question. It seems like you'd be better off heating cold water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Do you think the water will magically disappear if it springs a leak? I would imagine if it's leaking then you need to get a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted May 23, 2007 Author Share Posted May 23, 2007 (edited) I would imagine if it's leaking then you need to get a new one. What if you're not home when it springs a leak, wouldn't it flood your basement? Edited May 23, 2007 by Hugh 0ne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 What if you're not home when it springs a leak, wouldn't it flood your basement? it could be doing that right now... or any of the pipes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puddy Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 What if you're not home when it springs a leak, wouldn't it flood your basement? Yes. Although they sell come type of 'tub' you can sit the tank in to catch most of the water if it leaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonorator Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 we have a drain in our basement right by the water heater ... the water runs into it. just replaced ours after 9 years of use (it leaked). a pre-emptive strike at 8 years is probably not a bad idea. peace of mind and you also may get a tax break for the energy efficiency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Our last water heater lasted 10 years before it started to leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 I have a Handyman/Plumbing business. I have replaced water heaters that are over 20 years old and some that were less than 5. They go when they want. You may be able to put a pan under yours with a line running to a sump pump drain, if you have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twiley Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 What if you're not home when it springs a leak, wouldn't it flood your basement? Ah yes, the old water heater proverb.... if a water heater breaks in your basement and no one is around does it leak? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 I looked into these two years ago, and this is what I found out. Gas HWH will last longer than electric. They warranty them for 8 to 15 years IIRC nowadays. So, yours is just reaching the end of its life cycle, but will probably go for much longer. I would let it go until it breaks and then replace it. Its unlikely that your tub would go this early, but the overflow and pressure relief valves could leak over time. Its not likely to be a flood when you're away, but a slow drip that develops with time so you can catch it. PS: you do have at least one carbon monoxide detector with working batteries in the house right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted May 23, 2007 Author Share Posted May 23, 2007 I have a Handyman/Plumbing business. I have replaced water heaters that are over 20 years old and some that were less than 5. They go when they want. You may be able to put a pan under yours with a line running to a sump pump drain, if you have one. How do I feed the line to the pump? I can't leave it above the concrete, that'll look ret*rded. And I really don't want to put a channel in the concrete, sawing concrete sucks ass. I just doubled the size of my sump pump basin and had to cut through the 4 inch foundation, talk about a mess. I think everyone in my neighborhood had dust in their homes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiefjay Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Do you think the water will magically disappear if it springs a leak? I was thinking more from the heating aspect plus I too have a drain right by the water heater and while it would overflow it would eventually go down that drain. Be proactive I say, change it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted May 23, 2007 Author Share Posted May 23, 2007 PS: you do have at least one carbon monoxide detector with working batteries in the house right? Wurd. In the same room as the furnace and hot water heater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SayItAintSoJoe Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 speaking of detectors.... http://www.gizmode.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopazz Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Why do want to heat your hot water??? Yeah, that one always bugs me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Like Soup Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 When it is time to replace, would you consider a tankless water heater? I've been thinking about doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted May 23, 2007 Author Share Posted May 23, 2007 When it is time to replace, would you consider a tankless water heater? I've been thinking about doing that. Don't know anything about it. Details, links, info? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Holy Roller Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 When it is time to replace, would you consider a tankless water heater? I've been thinking about doing that. Go to Lowes. They havem and you can see what they do and how they operate. About $500-$600. Or call a plumber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 (edited) How do I feed the line to the pump? I can't leave it above the concrete, that'll look ret*rded. And I really don't want to put a channel in the concrete, sawing concrete sucks ass. I just doubled the size of my sump pump basin and had to cut through the 4 inch foundation, talk about a mess. I think everyone in my neighborhood had dust in their homes. Well, the only choices are to install it in the slab or run it on top. You could run it along the wall as much as possible and paint it. Edit: Unless you are doing this yourself it would wise to replace the water heater at the same time due to cost. Edited May 23, 2007 by Footballjoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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