Aging hot-water tank may need more than just a tune-up
Q. I have read your articles about draining water heaters with increasing dismay. I am a 77-year-old arthritic woman. I have lived in this house for 11 years and have never drained the hot-water tank. I became a 66-year-old homeowner when I moved here and have never drained a hot water tank and don’t feel I can do that. There isn’t room for a pan underneath the tank. Although I am on a limited income, I would be willing to pay someone to do this, but who do you call? Does a plumber do this, or who? I would appreciate some advice in this matter.
– Dorothy C., Spokane
A. Dorothy, thanks for your letter. Yes, I wrote several articles on the subjects of maintaining and draining gas and electric water heaters. For those who may have missed them, they appeared in the “Voices” on March 11 (Drain bucketful of water occasionally or install softener), April 15 (Two-step process effectively removes sediment from tank), May 20 (Manage air supply when draining water from heater), and July 2 (Years of deposits can be removed from water heater). These articles were not intended to discourage readers but rather to point out that a water heater is an appliance that needs occasional attention in order to prolong its life.
We know that your tank is over 11 years old and has never had any maintenance during the time you’ve been in the home—it’s long overdue. Water heaters lasting 20 or 30 years are a thing of the past. It’s possible that yours could last that long, but most carry a 5- to 10-year warranty and are designed to last during that warranty period plus a day. It’s planned obsolescence and job security: manufacturers are in business to sell water heaters and plumbers are in business to install them!
On your behalf, I have contacted a plumber and explained the situation and he would be more than happy to check out your water heater for you.
He’ll be able to tell you what condition your tank is in. With any luck, it may just need the sediment cleaned out from the bottom of the tank.