Hot water fountain of youth

[trillby]

I've lived alone in a small condo for 25 years. There are no teen or nut cases around here to accelerate wear and tear on anything. All appliances, indeed all everything, is still original. I'm happy I've had no trouble, but it makes me nervous that I live on the second floor and nice people live downstairs below me. When I eyeball my forty gallon lowboy, it looks as beautiful as the day it was installed, but it should have died years ago — right?

I know there's no reason not to replace it before something bad happens, but when I asked the hot water heater guy at Home Depot what he thought, he asked me if I'd put a plaster cast on my arm if it wasn't broken? He said there's no law that dictates a water heater has to die in a certain amount of years. judging by suds that never quit, I'd say my water is very soft.

I'd love some opinions about this and what a new middle grade water heater would cost in a small upscalish city in Florida?

[HayZee518]

While hindsight may be an advantage sometimes, in this day and age prices go up and down like a yo-yo. It all boils down to a common adajio - "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." "If the smoke comes out it will NOT work."

[trillby]

Thanks, I wasn't eager to take the bull by the horns. I feel more comfortable in leaving well enough for now.

I may go for the Guiness hot water heater record — 25 years and counting.

[LazyPup]

You still have a long way to go for the record.

Last July I changed out the Rheem AUI-40 gas water heater at my mothers house. My Dad wrote his and my name on the side of that tank when he and I installed it on November 1, 1964. Would you care to venture a guess as to what brand my Mother insisted I install?

The is the longest service life I have ever seen, but who's to say that someone else hasn't topped that? On the other hand, you must understand that Mothers water heater is installed in an unfinished basement and there is a floor drain right next to the water heater.

According to a survey conducted by consumer reports magazine the average service life of a water heater is 12.5years for gas and 16yrs for electric.

In your case, if it appears to be in good condition and there are no leaks I doubt that there is any immediate cause for alarm, but understanding that you are on a upper floor, and a catastrophic failure would probably result in property damage to the apartment below I would definitely plan to replace that tank within the next year or so. The advantage here is that you can plan when you want to make the change so you will have time to set some money aside each month and not get caught with a big expense at an inopportune time.

If you shop around you can find a replacement water heater in the $275-$400 price range + installation labor.

Changing out a water heater is not a difficult job, and certainly not beyond the ability of a moderate DIY'er I would suggest that if you don't feel confident that you can do it, you might use the time to check with your friends to see if you can get some help.

[trillby]

[QUOTE=LazyPup;25340]You still have a long way to go for the record.

Last July I changed out the Rheem AUI-40 gas water heater at my mothers house. My Dad wrote his and my name on the side of that tank when he and I installed it on November 1, 1964. Would you care to venture a guess as to what brand my Mother insisted I install?

I dearly hope that in 44 years the lady will insist on another encore performance from you. I must say you've severely damaged my resolve to seek a world record. Instead, I may relinquish the title to your mom and opt for preemptive water heater action.

If I chicken out on doing the installation with the help of a savvy friend, what kind of labor costs could I look forward to? The tank is not out in the open — it's in a closet-like utility room where a fat plumber could not do a toe dance. The good part is all the pipes are easily in reach.

You know, while I was looking at the tank, I thought I'd open the spigot at the bottom to see if the water that came out was clean or rusty. Not a drop emerged even when the tap was opened all the way. Is it possible that the tank has so much sludge settled in the bottom of the tank that it's covering the outlet hole?

[HeadnSouth]

You know, while I was looking at the tank, I thought I'd open the spigot at the bottom to see if the water that came out was clean or rusty. Not a drop emerged even when the tap was opened all the way. Is it possible that the tank has so much sludge settled in the bottom of the tank that it's covering the outlet hole?

yes, i'd say its loaded with sediment. Leaving a very good chance its rusted.
IMO I'd change out the HWH asap. Who needs the damage it'll do when it leaks? Not just your damage but your neighbors place. 40 gallons is a lot of water and you can garantee it'll blow when nobodys home. Installation will cost $300 and up.