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I just want to know, did you junk your home water tank before it give any sign of aging, as preventive measure?Do you think, that after 22 years of light usage (single home owner and user), is it safe to wait until it fail.By the way, when it fail, is it always catastrophic failure (big leak) or does it decay in not heating up water (sign of aging).Thanks in advance.

I just replaced mine about 3 months ago. It had a very small leak where I barely noticed it except my socks got a little wet after walking by it but my friend had a catastrophic bursting heater that flooded the basement. After 22 years you've got more than the average life out of the tank. They aren't overly expensive so I would just do it now for peace of mind.my 2 cents.mike

22 years is a good long time for a water heater. I recently read that water heater and Furnace tech have come along way in the passed 10 years. So, just about anything you get will be better for your utility bills.

Mine was a slow trickle leak as well, it is also in my basement and a drain is not far. If you are nervous about leaks and you get a new one to replace the 22 year old, I have seen pans or tubs at The Home Depot you put on the floor first and then place the tanks feet in the tub. Thus if there is a leak, it will contain it. To a point that is!

22 years is remarkable for a water heater! I believe I read the average life span of home mechanicals is between 10-15 years. There's a lot to gain from replacing a tank that doesn't appear to need it. For starters, as has been said, the heating technology has advanced considerably in the past 5-10 years. Current day heaters are incredibly energy efficient, and heat far faster than ones from even only 2-3 years ago. And of course, new "tankless" water heaters are amazingly energy efficient, provide endless supplies of hot water and often carry lifetime (yes LIFETIME) warranties against leaking. In addition, I don't know about Canada, but there are some programs in the states (both at a federal and state level) which encourage the replacement of older appliances with new energy-efficient ones through tax rebates or discounts. Could you wait until it fails? Most likely. I don't often hear of a water heater failing by leaking. Seems they fail mostly by simply not heating water anymore. But, if they were to leak, you would likely see signs of it before it became disastrous. Most leaks, from what I've read, start at either the drain valve or the pressure relief valve. And usually it's a drip. So if you see any dripping at either of those spots, definitely get it checked out before it becomes a bigger problem.What kind of fuel is it anyway? Gas? Oil? Electric? But the other advantage to replacing it before a failure is you can shop around, get the best deal, and find the most inexpensive installer. If your heater craps out on you though (beyond repair), you'll surely need to get it replaced quickly, and you will not likely have the luxury of finding the best brand, at the best price, installed for the lowest cost.Just my (canadian of course! )EDIT:Did some googling, hopefully this will also help you:Quote, originally posted by The Dollar Stretcher »ear NH,How do I know when it's time to replace my water heater? I built the house in the spring of 1985 and I still have the original water heater. This water heater has never been drained. Shortly after it was installed the pressure valve leaked and was replaced, and I have been the only person living in the house up until Sept. 1997 when my mother moved in with me.For about three months I have noticed that the pressure valve has been leaking a little water, so when my brother came up for the holidays, I asked him to change it. Both the pressure valve and the galvanized metal nipple showed a considerable amount of junk in them. I replaced both. The only noise I have ever heard from the water heater is a rumbling when a faucet is turned on while the water heater is heating water.BO in the Mojave Desert, CABO,There is no tried and true way to know precisely when a water heater needs replacement. Obviously, a leak in the body of the heater requires immediate replacement. If there is a major malfunction, such as complete or partial loss of hot water supply, leakage around plumbing fittings, or the appearance of excessive corrosion on the heater body itself or at the heater's plumbing connections, AND the unit is more than eight years old, replacement may be preferable to repair (if a repair is possible, that is). I would leave this up to your budget and repair skills.All the active parts and most of the plumbing parts--the heating elements, thermostat, anode rod, and the various valves--are designed to be replaceable. The main obstacle to disassembly is corrosion. A water heater corrodes more quickly than other plumbing fixtures because of the constant high temperature at which it operates, and the fact that sometimes the water heater acts as an electric ground, accelerating this corrosive process. Corrosion makes replacing any parts chancy, since the replacement may leak, necessitating the replacement of the entire heater. So, like a conscientious Boy Scout, be prepared for the possibility of replacement even when the repair seems simple and straightforward. So it goes with plumbing!In your specific case, with a water heater more than 13 years old, repairs are probably not cost-effective, since the life expectancy of a water heater is only 8-12 years. As they age, they become less efficient. This is true for all heaters, but more for electric types. Modern water heaters have better insulation and are more efficient "out of the box," so you may notice dramatic savings in fuel and/or electric costs by replacing it.NHSource: http://www.stretcher.com/stories/990201m.cfmAnd a longer article on whether or not to replace:Replacing Water Heaters http://www.servicemagic.com/ar....html

1968 and still going. My hot water tank is starting it's fortieth year. I replaced the elements once about 15 years ago. I have a 5 year old one a friend gave me which I will be installing in a few weeks just to reduce my energy consumption. I heat with wood 100% so my electricity bills are pretty small.

22 years is past the life expectancy. I would go ahead and get some quotes.

I have 22 years on a gas hot water heater. Theoretically, you are supposed to flush out the bottom with the valve once a month. If rust appears, then the glass lining has been penetrated, and the heater is not long for the world. The pan discussed is now required by code. I dont want to put in another tank, I would like to get a once through unit but I dont have the ambition to install it now.

Get an on tap water heater, they are smaller, save tons on your bill and give you hot water on demand when you need it.

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Get an on tap water heater, they are smaller, save tons on your bill and give you hot water on demand when you need it.If you're referring to the compact 1-2 gallon heaters, they're fine for sinks, but can't meet the demands of showers and/or washing machines.As an add-on to an existing heater they make sense...

When I replaced our gas Water Heater in July 2000 I investigated the tankless "never runout of hot water" kind. When you read the fine print you discover here is a lot more routine maintenance to them than with a tank. We also have a gas clothes dryer. In the summertime our natural gas use is only about 13 ccf a month so I am not sure they would lower our gas use very much. Overall probably would not save any money.

My hot water tank was installed in 1988 and is still going so I hope to get another few years out of it. When you are looking at the tanks just remember warranty does make a difference in the quality of the unit. A six year is going to have plastic valves and less insulation than that of a 12 year tank. (Usually brass valves) If you are looking at tankless then yes there is some more routine maintenance but the space you gain maybe important. If tankless is the way you are going then find out the size of your water metre. Most residential is going to be rated from 200,000 BTU to 250,000 BTU. If it is to small then if to many units are running in the house (ie furnace, BBQ, then water heater) one of those units maybe starved for fuel.

I replaced one when it stopped making hot water. I now have a smaller Bradford-White 40 gal. I had a downstairs neighbor whose water heater made a massive water leak-and he did regular maintenance on it

Quote, originally posted by chevelle_lover » When you are looking at the tanks just remember warranty does make a difference in the quality of the unit. A six year is going to have plastic valves and less insulation than that of a 12 year tank. (Usually brass valves).The plumbing company that put in my last water heater told me that there was no difference in the 6 year warranty water heater and the 12 year except for the warranty coverage. I don't know if he was blowing smoke or what. Certainly wasn't in his interest to sell me a lower cost unit. I opted for the less expensive 6 year warranty model. Maybe it depends on the manufacturer.

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »If you're referring to the compact 1-2 gallon heaters, they're fine for sinks, but can't meet the demands of showers and/or washing machines.As an add-on to an existing heater they make sense...I was referring to those tankless heaters that mount on the wall. The heat the water on demand - never run out of hot water. I think they cost nearly $800.

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »I was referring to those tankless heaters that mount on the wall. The heat the water on demand - never run out of hot water. I think they cost nearly $800.Depending on your fuel choice and desired output, you can find them as cheap as $200, and as high as several thousand. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...oHigh

I am talking about a tankless water heater that is the equiv. of a 40 gal conventional model.

Most leak when they go bad, mine did but still made heat... I noticed it when I opened the door to my workroom but still hat hot water. I have also heard stories of people coming home to a flooded basement before too when the tank breaks and no one is there to shut off the water.If no heat then on some electric type you can replace the coils inside.