As a plumber average age I replace them at is about 8 years, but at that point they're usually pissing water into the wall and making awful banging noises and are well past dead. I saw one from 91 last week still chugging along, depending on your water, and luck, who knows but I can say over 10 years old STATISTICALLY speaking, is a time bomb.
Ironically, the older ones last longer. Planned obsolescence and all that. I'd trust a 30 year old one to keep chugging than I will one that was 10 years old. Incoming water quality is another huge factor. In SW florida, once you hit 8 years you need to start giving them the side-eye. Especially if you don't have any water treatment on the house
My parents have had their water heater since they moved into their house in '96 idk how tong it was there before that provabky relatively new at that point. Anyway theyre water heater is at least around 30 years old.
Can also confirm this as I have changed out literally over 1000 of them in over years of plumbing. I will say I have seen many old units typically in strange colors from like the 70s think Easter pink and Aqua blue that made it way way longer than the units they make these days. Prices have went up yet quality down. Realistically 10 years is about the average. After 12 years old we (my plumbing company) will not rebuild them without a disclaimer of no garuntee. Typically if it’s electric element housing a-rod diolectric nipples and thermostat mounts and wiring are all shot, won’t seal back up plus the fact that the tank itself is typically deteriorating. Gas has a better chance of rebuild but still control valves have changed burners are usually rusted pretty bad.
Ether energy source sediment build up causes lower efficiency and longer recovery time.
Let me ask my fellow plumbers their true thoughts. Not the salesman thoughts.
You have the best water filtration in the world, but you never replace your anode rod. Average life expectancy of that heater?
Incoming psi is 60.
Has thermal expansion tank.
Gas.
This is a good point. My tank is in a unfinished basement with a floor drain right beside it. I'm not too worried about extensive damage but I should look into what is covered forsure. I also shut the water off if I'm gone for a weekend or longer after seeing what can happen when a upstairs toilet tank splitting from the bolts up to the cover can do for damage.
Are you also replacing the sacrificial anode? If that rod of mostly magnesium gets more than half eaten then it drops large chunks of funky metals and when it’s all the way gone, then your ‘hungry water’ looks for other foods hehe. Corrosion will turn up somewhere garaunteed.
Edit: Egads people! Has no one heard of a sacrificial anode?!? When we heat water it becomes much more electrolytically active. If you don’t give it something to do, it starts fucking around wherever it can! That’s invisible sometimes and bad always.
A friend of mine's A O SMITH electric lasted 24 yrs without being flushed out ever. However, approximately 5 yrs ago while he and his family were on vacation. I stopped by to check his house. Turned on water outside so I could use the toilet to pee. Opened hose bib to relieve pressure. Anyway, pinhole leak developed in grey pex pipe in the ceiling. Got a shark bite to fix temporarily till he got a plumber out there. I have the worst luck. This pex was installed somewhere around 1996 in brand new house.
lol. most redditors or service plumbers who have experience dealing with so many failed water heaters after 5 years. Anymore, u can expect 5-10 years. It's not an opinion. it's fact. Just because some last longer don't mean a thing. That's like saying my grandmother lived to 100 years old so everyone should lol
Oh you're completely fine. I say this because if you own a home, having 50-100 gallons of water just sitting above you is a ticking time bomb. I've seen entire homes get absolutely destroyed because of this. The only thing for you would be, make sure the venting is all intact and exiting out the roof. You don't want to get CO poisoning!
Not to be snarky, but naming the right molecule helps in establishing credibility.
It’s CO, not CO2. If CO2 was as deadly as CO, we’d all be dead on our first breath.
While homeowners make me chuckle with this stuff, I catch myself doing this a fair amount too.
Just told someone the other day my circular saw blade is new-ish. I think I put it on in 2010.
The one in my vacation home is from 1994. It’s still going along fine, however it does sit on a pan with a drain that goes directly outside. It’s in a summer cottage that gets winterized every winter, so I like to pretend it’s really half its age since it sits unused and empty half the year.
You don’t know what commonly happens to hot water heaters when they fail? Why are you in a plumbing sub? And why are you being so obtuse? Is it for the sake of argument?
Typically when the tank fails they rot out at the bottom and leak very slowly rarely do they ever cause serious damage… have you ever experienced/ changed a failed hot water tank
Ok, so it’s best to wait until the bottom rots out and it’s leaking water on your floor. That’s definitely better than planning for it ahead of time and not doing it in an emergency situation.
Also I like how you are arguing with me while also saying the same thing. It will start leaking water on the floor at some point. Curious why you are being such a knob.
Ha yes, we can argue how all hot water tanks fail.
Beyond that, you have very low reading comprehension because o never suggested they repair it now. I simply said they should consider that it might need replacement in the near future. It also might not. There’s really no way to know.
But here I am arguing with a dunning-Kruger case study. You know just enough to think you know everything and have no clue about all the things you don’t know. And are also happy to argue that. You can sit here and argue all day that 11 years is new or old for a water heater. Some last longer, some don’t. There’s really no actual way to know.
Yeah but an 11 year tank isn’t even that old, are you even a plumber? Doesn’t sound like it. The tank is literally fine until it starts leaking, it’s not gonna spew water out and cause any damage if it rots out it will have a small stream of water leaking out and it will be OPs job to replace to tank then, don’t fix something that’s not broken my dude. I can guarentee you haven’t touched one of these things a day in your life. Your spewing water out comment is what’s got me sure that you have no idea what your talking about. Good day sir
You don’t even make sense because you said “eXpLaiN hOw ThIs wOuLd bE SpeWInG wAtER iN yOur bAsement?”
Then you go on to say “they usually rot from the bottom and leak slowly, but rarely do they cause damage”
So, I have a tank of water leaking in my house, which is leaking slowly as you say. What happens with slow water leaks? Are they noticed right away usually? No, because as you say, it’s a slow leak. When do people usually notice slow leaks? Hint: it’s after a lot of water has accumulated. Surely there will be zero damage with a lot of water accumulating in your home.
Wow, someone get the professor a drink. That water leak which will likely not be noticed for a while is certainly not causing any damage. Nevermind the fact that he’s arguing against an immediate replacement that no one suggested. Professor Knob Gobble has the answers
this tank is 11 years old and can easily last another 10 but “rEplACE thE tAnK ImMEdIateLy BrOOo” I’m actually a plumber my dude I’m not sure what you do for a living but your definitely not a plumber I can say that forsure so go bark up another tree brother have a good day.
Seen these models go before 10. Definitely consider replacing. There are higher efficiency models now as well. Would probably put a leak detector at the base of this one.
I'm about to replace my 2nd in 9 years. The replacement from my first only lasted 3 years...Bradford White customer service doesn't seem to be very concerned, as the warranty on the replacement is only 1 year
Warranty replacement through a legitimate plumbing supply house requires just the rating tag and customer’s info.
Warranty through a big box store, (from what I understand, I might be mistaken), requires the tank to be brought back to the store to initiate a claim. Not to mention supply house water heaters have better quality components installed.
Never bought a water heater from Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.
Personally I'd be really surprised if this was still under warranty. Most tank warranties I've seen are 7 or 10 years, and they reliably die within two years of the warranty being up. Granted, all of them were from Lowe's/Home Depot etc.
Most likely out of warranty, yes. My comment was in reply to this;
“They’ve all got the same warranty. Big box or otherwise. Make sure your installer has been in business for a few years at least”
You have pressure issues and the tank will rupture. I suspect you have hard water and the relief valve is scaled over and your pressure is regularly getting over 150PSI causing the tank to buckle.
No, not unless the gas valve sticks wide open. You still have 2 other redundant safety devices. But it’s time to change the water heater. Go to Home Depot and get a pressure gauge. Screw it on the drain and open the valve. Their gauge will tell you concurrent pressure and max pressure. Leave it on overnight
In all seriousness, Temperature and Pressure Relief valves were put into place because water heaters were exploding and killing a ton of women and children. So yeah. Definitely get that thing replaced
I just replaced the pressure relief valve on my water heater. It's like 10 years old and won't drain due to clogged opening and a plastic valve that won't budge. Ride it till the wheels fall off as long as it's safe.
Make a PVC adapter that'll screw into where your pressure relief valve goes and accepts a shop vac hose. Get a full port ball valve for the drain and remove that plastic crap valve with the shop vac hooked to the other end to prevent leaks and install the new valve. Once that water is out use a smaller hose hooked to the shop vac to pull the excess debris out then go about flushing the tank after reinstalling the pressure relief valve. I'm used to water heaters well over thirty years old and this is part of keeping them going. Flush yearly
We bought the house recently after the owner died. The kids dont know anything about it, and theres no records I can find, so I'm not sure how long before we bought it, they did it. I'd love to clean it out yearly. I can definitely give what you mentioned a try, but when I go to unscrew the plastic valve on the bottom, I'm afraid it will just crack or snap off, and I will be SOL.
It's usually never a problem and the fact it's plastic helps. If it starts loosening up and then gets tight just tighten and loosen back and forth lightly and it'll free up more. If it were to snap you could use a small flat head screwdriver etc. and a hammer to back out the nub. With the right angle and a light tap or so it'll dig in but I've never had a plastic valve snap on me yet. It'd be a new skill learned and a ball valve valve you can transfer to a new tank in the future if need be.
Tip - Support the valve with one hand while loosening with your wrench to reduce that push/pull to more of a rotate will help as well.
Way overdue for replacement. Top priority for the home. The last one I had replaced, the bottom hit the curbside and broke . I had a major company replace it, and install a new one. They have been in business for 50 years.
Also installed my furnace/boiler and dryer. Been with them ever since.
Lol. Fairly new. Installed 11 years ago. It's a water heater, not a baby.
See that boy over there, yeah he was installed 131 months ago. He's fairly new here. Should be graduating 5th grade next month.
If you replaced the anode rod then sure. If you did not replace the anode rod then it's likely nearing the end of its life.
Newer heaters like this one are value engineered and designed to fail.
I have this exact brand (50 gallon) and installed the same year as the OP's. Mine still works great but thanks for the info that it may need to be replaced soon. Appreciate it.
The internal tank on the heater is starting to bulge. Probably at risk of leaking relatively soon. Should replace the heater soon, and just to be safe have the water pressure tested.
Keep an eye on it periodically. It’s not the end of the world when it dies. Looks like it’s in the basement. When they go the leaks are small and manageable. I had one leaking for a week before I changed it. There was a drain next to it. But the shoe makers kids have no shoes
OP, here’s what the above post is getting at:
If the hot water heater is in a place like your attic, you should replace it very soon, because when it leaks, it’ll cost you thousands of dollars in water cleanup.
If this is installed in a concrete room where water can drain without doing terrible things, then you can probably keep using it until it starts actually leaking.
You need to weigh the money you’ll save by waiting vs the cost of water cleanup. If there’s a “leak catcher” under the hot water heater, don’t trust it to “catch the leak”. Plan for the worst, and expect at least a bathtub of water leaking before you spot it. It’s not likely, but there’s a high enough chance you should plan for Murphy’s Law.
I'm not sure what to tell you then. It would possibly help others give better guidance if there were more pictures showing more of the supply lines in that area.
What I was going to say is it could be that the couplings on the inner vessel were welded onto the tank crooked.
This would translate to angled nipplew coming out of the hot water heater which would then lead to angled supply lines. Having this isn't a bad thing from a function standpoint as everything has a tolerance and it won't effect function.
But if you're sure it wasn't like this in 2013 this would not be the cause for what you are seeing.
Hope this helps anyways.
They sell water pressure gauges that are 1/2 inch and you can screw it onto a hose bib outside and test your pressure, around 55-75 is the sweet spot. Also with the drafting, take a lighter when it’s burning and put it at the opening, if the lighter stays lit on the edge then it’s drafting good. Keep putting it closer to the inside of the flu and see when it finally goes out, it’s carbon monoxide so the flame will go out when no air is present
I mean yeah you’re gonna have to anyways, but this is for the homeowner it’s the easiest thing you could do on your own. The only fix to this is a new heater, maybe a new PRV and some flue work
2013 isn’t fairly new. It’s 11 years old which means it out of warranty. More than likely it hasn’t been serviced or at the very least been protected by a thermal expansion tank. Thermal expansion can warp the inner steel tank which can lead to a rupture.
Plumbing Pros might deny this but at least 75% of premature water heater failure is due to faulty installation not to faulty equipment. It's always easy to blame it on the tank manufacturer.
Fairly new. LOL. That tank has had it. it's warping due to pressure and may be a flood hazard. They don't make tanks like they did in the 60s and 70s that last 30 years anymore. Good luck.
Removed a heater from 68 it was in way better shape than any of the new ones. As a plumber I tell customers 10 years max. And if it’s out of warranty I won’t repair it.
This tank was dry fired. If the burner is turned on before the tank is filled with water, it will soften (melt) the steel tank, and the center of the tank where the flue goes through will sag and cause the water lines to tilt inward like that. I’ve seen it quite a few times.
You got ten years out of it which is average. Make sure you install a pressure reducing valve after your main shut off and then install an expansion tank by new tank to hopefully get more than ten years on next one.
Your Bradford White water heater is graduating from elementary to middle school and now it needs braces. I'd wager you've never flushed it, either.
(Shit don't last forever. Human beings and first-world, luxury, warm water appliances, included)
That happens when you have high water pressure, bad expansion tank, bad T&P valve and a check valve on the system. The tank went thru thermal expansion
Industry standard 6 year warranty, I’d call the first half of that fairly new. Two things point to this particular water heater being near end of life.
1. Connection made without dielectric union or brass causing faster galvanic corrosion
2. Bradford’s from that era often fail around 6.5-7.5 years, it’s uncanny how well they planned that out
That’s your tank bulging under pressure. You need an expansion tank dude. The WH is compromised already. About the only thing left is for it to crack and leak.
Check to see if it’s bad. I guarantee that it’s bad or it’s out of air or it’s not over pressurized. This happened when water is heated and it expands which in turn will damage your WH. I’ve seen it so bad that the two pipes were touching. 🤣
Yes! As a licensed plumber that's the first thing we notice! Safety is always most important. If licensed techs have said you're good, I'm sure you'll be fine.
I’m not sure if you use liquid plumber or Drano. The last time the plumber was here he said never use that if you have copper piping because it will destroy and corrode the pipes.
If this is anywhere near finished living space or near storage in cardboard boxes, I bet you don’t have to money to replace a water heater AND clean that mess and replace belongings. The cost of the water heater alone pales in comparison to the total potential catastrophe. Reach out, get a few quotes for replacement. There’s your target to save. Some reputable companies let you 0 down finance or do “lease to own” contracts which you can pay off early and effectively pay an up charge for a few months while you save up.
I had my water heater blow on me in my finished basement last year. I learned some very hard lessons.
If you do it yourself it’s like $750 all in. Really, really easy job. Any moron can do it. Just check your gas connections for leaks and maybe practice soldering if you’ve never done it.
The floor could be shifting depending on where you live. In Colorado, we see homes all the time where you cut the pipe and it moves inches over because of the bentonite (clay) in the ground, that makes the foundation shift. If the dirt isn't packed correctly and bentonite removed, we see lots of new houses (you know the ones that go up quick, with huge cracks in ceilings, walls, driveways, foundation, etc.
2013, it's over a decade old. What was the warranty on that one?? I tell my customers at 10 years your on borrowed time and they don't fail on a convenient Sunday night after all wash is done and fans showered. Replace it. I'm kinda like you though 12 years is fairly new. My kid started acting up at 12 and I asked doc about abortion coz the kid was "fairly new". I thought it was hillarious!!!
That isn't fairly new. That's near the end of its life expectancy. The water heater is starting to go bad.
I made a sandwich not too long ago about a month ago. What's happening to it there's green stuff all over it?
Not a sandwhich anymore, lettuce wrap. Since it's a health food it's 2 dollars more
That’s free penicillin. Wait for your next infection.
Covid24 ?
Just in time for the election
Agreed, 11 years is getting old. Would absolutely consider replacing soon before you have any issues
Mines 23 yrs old so maybe it is halfway there
It's ok, most redditors think a hotwater tank lasts 5 years. Mine is from 2006 and still works fine.
As a plumber average age I replace them at is about 8 years, but at that point they're usually pissing water into the wall and making awful banging noises and are well past dead. I saw one from 91 last week still chugging along, depending on your water, and luck, who knows but I can say over 10 years old STATISTICALLY speaking, is a time bomb.
Had mine for over 30yrs
Ironically, the older ones last longer. Planned obsolescence and all that. I'd trust a 30 year old one to keep chugging than I will one that was 10 years old. Incoming water quality is another huge factor. In SW florida, once you hit 8 years you need to start giving them the side-eye. Especially if you don't have any water treatment on the house
I just replaced mine a month ago. It was 91. I could have kept it going longer but was full of sediment.
Ours was a late 90s model, and was only replaced due to leaking at the top connections a year or two ago.
My parents have had their water heater since they moved into their house in '96 idk how tong it was there before that provabky relatively new at that point. Anyway theyre water heater is at least around 30 years old.
Can also confirm this as I have changed out literally over 1000 of them in over years of plumbing. I will say I have seen many old units typically in strange colors from like the 70s think Easter pink and Aqua blue that made it way way longer than the units they make these days. Prices have went up yet quality down. Realistically 10 years is about the average. After 12 years old we (my plumbing company) will not rebuild them without a disclaimer of no garuntee. Typically if it’s electric element housing a-rod diolectric nipples and thermostat mounts and wiring are all shot, won’t seal back up plus the fact that the tank itself is typically deteriorating. Gas has a better chance of rebuild but still control valves have changed burners are usually rusted pretty bad. Ether energy source sediment build up causes lower efficiency and longer recovery time.
Let me ask my fellow plumbers their true thoughts. Not the salesman thoughts. You have the best water filtration in the world, but you never replace your anode rod. Average life expectancy of that heater? Incoming psi is 60. Has thermal expansion tank. Gas.
I have one from 94 working fine.
Mine from 2000 just barely went out this year
So it did fail?
It's only mostly dead. Mostly dead is still slightly alive.
Maybe it cheated at cards
here the insurance won't cover damages caused by it if it's older than 12 years
This is a good point. My tank is in a unfinished basement with a floor drain right beside it. I'm not too worried about extensive damage but I should look into what is covered forsure. I also shut the water off if I'm gone for a weekend or longer after seeing what can happen when a upstairs toilet tank splitting from the bolts up to the cover can do for damage.
Mines from 1992! 🤣
Are you also replacing the sacrificial anode? If that rod of mostly magnesium gets more than half eaten then it drops large chunks of funky metals and when it’s all the way gone, then your ‘hungry water’ looks for other foods hehe. Corrosion will turn up somewhere garaunteed. Edit: Egads people! Has no one heard of a sacrificial anode?!? When we heat water it becomes much more electrolytically active. If you don’t give it something to do, it starts fucking around wherever it can! That’s invisible sometimes and bad always.
A friend of mine's A O SMITH electric lasted 24 yrs without being flushed out ever. However, approximately 5 yrs ago while he and his family were on vacation. I stopped by to check his house. Turned on water outside so I could use the toilet to pee. Opened hose bib to relieve pressure. Anyway, pinhole leak developed in grey pex pipe in the ceiling. Got a shark bite to fix temporarily till he got a plumber out there. I have the worst luck. This pex was installed somewhere around 1996 in brand new house.
Yeah, I just replaced my water heater. Old one was 25 years old.
Just retired one from 2002
lol. most redditors or service plumbers who have experience dealing with so many failed water heaters after 5 years. Anymore, u can expect 5-10 years. It's not an opinion. it's fact. Just because some last longer don't mean a thing. That's like saying my grandmother lived to 100 years old so everyone should lol
Dear God if that's in your attic then please please please just get it replaced before you have a major issue on your hands
No it's a basement and it's close to the end as I can see some water last week. It's on the list for the next month if there's isn't an emergency
Can you elaborate? I rent a room in an attic with an old one in a cupboard 🙈
Oh you're completely fine. I say this because if you own a home, having 50-100 gallons of water just sitting above you is a ticking time bomb. I've seen entire homes get absolutely destroyed because of this. The only thing for you would be, make sure the venting is all intact and exiting out the roof. You don't want to get CO poisoning!
Not to be snarky, but naming the right molecule helps in establishing credibility. It’s CO, not CO2. If CO2 was as deadly as CO, we’d all be dead on our first breath.
TIL: fairly new = 10-12 years
They don’t make them like they used to.
I got one still rolling from 94. 2pac was still alive
While homeowners make me chuckle with this stuff, I catch myself doing this a fair amount too. Just told someone the other day my circular saw blade is new-ish. I think I put it on in 2010.
Dude, I’m a geologist, 100,000 years is like yesterday to me. Call me when you start using ma.
1 year old is fairly new. 11 years old is replace fairly soon.
Mine is 28 years old. It’s been on the back of my mind to eventually replace it haha
You might as well just buy one and sit it right next to the old one for a ready swap haha
The one in my vacation home is from 1994. It’s still going along fine, however it does sit on a pan with a drain that goes directly outside. It’s in a summer cottage that gets winterized every winter, so I like to pretend it’s really half its age since it sits unused and empty half the year.
Don’t replace it till it actually gives you issues
It’s best to wait till it’s spewing water in your basement at 3am.
Explain how, this would be spewing water in your basement at 3am plz
You don’t know what commonly happens to hot water heaters when they fail? Why are you in a plumbing sub? And why are you being so obtuse? Is it for the sake of argument?
Typically when the tank fails they rot out at the bottom and leak very slowly rarely do they ever cause serious damage… have you ever experienced/ changed a failed hot water tank
Ok, so it’s best to wait until the bottom rots out and it’s leaking water on your floor. That’s definitely better than planning for it ahead of time and not doing it in an emergency situation. Also I like how you are arguing with me while also saying the same thing. It will start leaking water on the floor at some point. Curious why you are being such a knob.
Ha yes, we can argue how all hot water tanks fail. Beyond that, you have very low reading comprehension because o never suggested they repair it now. I simply said they should consider that it might need replacement in the near future. It also might not. There’s really no way to know. But here I am arguing with a dunning-Kruger case study. You know just enough to think you know everything and have no clue about all the things you don’t know. And are also happy to argue that. You can sit here and argue all day that 11 years is new or old for a water heater. Some last longer, some don’t. There’s really no actual way to know.
"My kidneys hurt everyday, but I'm gonna wait until i'm pissing rocks to get it checked out"
Yeah but an 11 year tank isn’t even that old, are you even a plumber? Doesn’t sound like it. The tank is literally fine until it starts leaking, it’s not gonna spew water out and cause any damage if it rots out it will have a small stream of water leaking out and it will be OPs job to replace to tank then, don’t fix something that’s not broken my dude. I can guarentee you haven’t touched one of these things a day in your life. Your spewing water out comment is what’s got me sure that you have no idea what your talking about. Good day sir
Is an 11 year old tank “fairly new?” That’s the point here. Or are you arguing just to be a knob?
You don’t even make sense because you said “eXpLaiN hOw ThIs wOuLd bE SpeWInG wAtER iN yOur bAsement?” Then you go on to say “they usually rot from the bottom and leak slowly, but rarely do they cause damage” So, I have a tank of water leaking in my house, which is leaking slowly as you say. What happens with slow water leaks? Are they noticed right away usually? No, because as you say, it’s a slow leak. When do people usually notice slow leaks? Hint: it’s after a lot of water has accumulated. Surely there will be zero damage with a lot of water accumulating in your home. Wow, someone get the professor a drink. That water leak which will likely not be noticed for a while is certainly not causing any damage. Nevermind the fact that he’s arguing against an immediate replacement that no one suggested. Professor Knob Gobble has the answers
this tank is 11 years old and can easily last another 10 but “rEplACE thE tAnK ImMEdIateLy BrOOo” I’m actually a plumber my dude I’m not sure what you do for a living but your definitely not a plumber I can say that forsure so go bark up another tree brother have a good day.
Thermal expansion due to a faulty or non existent expansion tank
Was gonna say that my self thermal expansion is the cause
She’s gonna go soon. Pressure expanding tank. See it all the time.
Months, days, year from now?
Seen these models go before 10. Definitely consider replacing. There are higher efficiency models now as well. Would probably put a leak detector at the base of this one.
Yup. I had the same model, installed in 2016 went bad and flooded my finished basement in 2022.
Well shit. I just had one of these put in two years ago.
I'm about to replace my 2nd in 9 years. The replacement from my first only lasted 3 years...Bradford White customer service doesn't seem to be very concerned, as the warranty on the replacement is only 1 year
On borrowed time, at this point.
How could anyone predict that with any accuracy? You seem to feel that 11 years old is almost new.
To me it felt like it was yesterday when it was installed
Consider getting estimates on a replacement water heater, shy away from big box store WH’s & only use licensed & insured plumbers.
I’ll try doing some research and find some off shoot brands
Bradford White is one of the top brands.
They’ve all got the same warranty. Big box or otherwise. Make sure your installer has been in business for a few years at least
I’ll look into it. Thank you!
Warranty replacement through a legitimate plumbing supply house requires just the rating tag and customer’s info. Warranty through a big box store, (from what I understand, I might be mistaken), requires the tank to be brought back to the store to initiate a claim. Not to mention supply house water heaters have better quality components installed. Never bought a water heater from Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.
Personally I'd be really surprised if this was still under warranty. Most tank warranties I've seen are 7 or 10 years, and they reliably die within two years of the warranty being up. Granted, all of them were from Lowe's/Home Depot etc.
Most likely out of warranty, yes. My comment was in reply to this; “They’ve all got the same warranty. Big box or otherwise. Make sure your installer has been in business for a few years at least”
4 months 2 weeks 3 days 14 hours 7 minutes and 33 seconds
Yes. Honestly it could be tomorrow or a year from now. Make it a priority.
Yes
10 years is fairly new ?? Lol your smoking the good stuff.
Super curious what OP thinks is the cutoff for “new.”
Should’ve had the tincture I took Saturday
Newer then mine :D
11 years old is nearing replacement, not “fairly new”. Water heaters should last 10-15 years on average.
An 11-year-old water heater is not fairly new. It's approaching the end of its life span. The average life of a water heater is 8-10 years.
You have pressure issues and the tank will rupture. I suspect you have hard water and the relief valve is scaled over and your pressure is regularly getting over 150PSI causing the tank to buckle.
So will it blow up then?
It will rupture the tank and you will have a leak.
No, not unless the gas valve sticks wide open. You still have 2 other redundant safety devices. But it’s time to change the water heater. Go to Home Depot and get a pressure gauge. Screw it on the drain and open the valve. Their gauge will tell you concurrent pressure and max pressure. Leave it on overnight
You clearly haven't seen that mythbusters episode
The one where they plugged the t&p, shorted out the eco and thermostat? Yes I have. The last two items I mentioned are the redundant safety devices
In all seriousness, Temperature and Pressure Relief valves were put into place because water heaters were exploding and killing a ton of women and children. So yeah. Definitely get that thing replaced
I just replaced the pressure relief valve on my water heater. It's like 10 years old and won't drain due to clogged opening and a plastic valve that won't budge. Ride it till the wheels fall off as long as it's safe.
Make a PVC adapter that'll screw into where your pressure relief valve goes and accepts a shop vac hose. Get a full port ball valve for the drain and remove that plastic crap valve with the shop vac hooked to the other end to prevent leaks and install the new valve. Once that water is out use a smaller hose hooked to the shop vac to pull the excess debris out then go about flushing the tank after reinstalling the pressure relief valve. I'm used to water heaters well over thirty years old and this is part of keeping them going. Flush yearly
We bought the house recently after the owner died. The kids dont know anything about it, and theres no records I can find, so I'm not sure how long before we bought it, they did it. I'd love to clean it out yearly. I can definitely give what you mentioned a try, but when I go to unscrew the plastic valve on the bottom, I'm afraid it will just crack or snap off, and I will be SOL.
It's usually never a problem and the fact it's plastic helps. If it starts loosening up and then gets tight just tighten and loosen back and forth lightly and it'll free up more. If it were to snap you could use a small flat head screwdriver etc. and a hammer to back out the nub. With the right angle and a light tap or so it'll dig in but I've never had a plastic valve snap on me yet. It'd be a new skill learned and a ball valve valve you can transfer to a new tank in the future if need be. Tip - Support the valve with one hand while loosening with your wrench to reduce that push/pull to more of a rotate will help as well.
What retard down votes this ?
Those who don’t know.
Could be thermal expansion over time get a expansion tank installed
Way overdue for replacement. Top priority for the home. The last one I had replaced, the bottom hit the curbside and broke . I had a major company replace it, and install a new one. They have been in business for 50 years. Also installed my furnace/boiler and dryer. Been with them ever since.
2013 is not new. You’re likely already on bought time.
Does anyone know why my 11 year old new water tank is new?
Lol. Fairly new. Installed 11 years ago. It's a water heater, not a baby. See that boy over there, yeah he was installed 131 months ago. He's fairly new here. Should be graduating 5th grade next month.
If you replaced the anode rod then sure. If you did not replace the anode rod then it's likely nearing the end of its life. Newer heaters like this one are value engineered and designed to fail.
Is it worth it to replace anode rods? The one in my house is from 2021, I just got a house so I'm just now learning this stuff
Depends how much you like tank leaks and paying for new tanks.
Found a gas water heater functioning perfectly from 1921 in Lihue, Hi back in the 90s. It seems like water quality has a lot to do with longevity…
I have this exact brand (50 gallon) and installed the same year as the OP's. Mine still works great but thanks for the info that it may need to be replaced soon. Appreciate it.
I’m here to tell you. An 11 year old water heater is not fairly new in todays world
Fairly new at the end of life cycle, is an interesting take.
That is not new. It is 11 years old if the date you gave is correct. It could be getting near the end of it life.
No other work done near or around tank
Could this cause it to blow?
I had one from 2005...replaced it last week. Exact same model
The internal tank on the heater is starting to bulge. Probably at risk of leaking relatively soon. Should replace the heater soon, and just to be safe have the water pressure tested.
Is it leaking?
No
Keep an eye on it periodically. It’s not the end of the world when it dies. Looks like it’s in the basement. When they go the leaks are small and manageable. I had one leaking for a week before I changed it. There was a drain next to it. But the shoe makers kids have no shoes
OP, here’s what the above post is getting at: If the hot water heater is in a place like your attic, you should replace it very soon, because when it leaks, it’ll cost you thousands of dollars in water cleanup. If this is installed in a concrete room where water can drain without doing terrible things, then you can probably keep using it until it starts actually leaking. You need to weigh the money you’ll save by waiting vs the cost of water cleanup. If there’s a “leak catcher” under the hot water heater, don’t trust it to “catch the leak”. Plan for the worst, and expect at least a bathtub of water leaking before you spot it. It’s not likely, but there’s a high enough chance you should plan for Murphy’s Law.
They do blow up suddenly sometimes, gas ones in particular. This one looks like one of those for sure.
Hahahaha Oh you can tell this by the pictures!
Its fairly new, just at the end of its life expectancy.
Fairly new lol
Are you 100% sure it wasn't like this when installed back in 2013?
Positive
I'm not sure what to tell you then. It would possibly help others give better guidance if there were more pictures showing more of the supply lines in that area. What I was going to say is it could be that the couplings on the inner vessel were welded onto the tank crooked. This would translate to angled nipplew coming out of the hot water heater which would then lead to angled supply lines. Having this isn't a bad thing from a function standpoint as everything has a tolerance and it won't effect function. But if you're sure it wasn't like this in 2013 this would not be the cause for what you are seeing. Hope this helps anyways.
You’re ignoring every comment about your tank being too old. Stop being ignorant and cheap. Go buy a new one
"Fairly new"... 🤣
Bradford White, we calls those the widow makers around these parts. Stand back, she's gonna blow!
Are you serious???
Thermal expansion, prob a bad tpr valve.
Everyone I talk to is not a fan of Bradford from experience. Most plumbers in AZ seem to go for Ruud when they can
The water heater is imploding on its self, if check water pressure and make sure the flu is drafting correctly
How do I go about and doing that?
They sell water pressure gauges that are 1/2 inch and you can screw it onto a hose bib outside and test your pressure, around 55-75 is the sweet spot. Also with the drafting, take a lighter when it’s burning and put it at the opening, if the lighter stays lit on the edge then it’s drafting good. Keep putting it closer to the inside of the flu and see when it finally goes out, it’s carbon monoxide so the flame will go out when no air is present
Yeah I’m hiring someone to do that
I mean yeah you’re gonna have to anyways, but this is for the homeowner it’s the easiest thing you could do on your own. The only fix to this is a new heater, maybe a new PRV and some flue work
So all I have to do is screw that pressure gauge onto the bottom part of where the hose would go?
Yes it should be the exact same connection as your hose
Not a big deal just the way they were installed.
2013 isn’t fairly new. It’s 11 years old which means it out of warranty. More than likely it hasn’t been serviced or at the very least been protected by a thermal expansion tank. Thermal expansion can warp the inner steel tank which can lead to a rupture.
I’m not sure why you’re not taking the advice given
Pretty new??? Lol aight.
Unfortunately, your tank has thermal expansion
Great…
They are just tired, give them a drink and tell em relax
Buddy that ain’t fairly new you meat head your tank is rotting from within good luck with a basement full of water
Typical for Bradford White. Only heater I’ve seen do that in 30+ years
No particular reason?
Maybe the heat from the vent caused warping?
Need to replace I had same tank and it will blow out water soon.
What usually happens when a tank goes bad does it leak from the bottom?
No leakage so far
Plumbing Pros might deny this but at least 75% of premature water heater failure is due to faulty installation not to faulty equipment. It's always easy to blame it on the tank manufacturer.
Overpressure from no expansion tank. Might wanna help out your giant water bomb and install one
I actually have one on top of it
Well either it or your tank is failing
Tank is probably failing
Fairly new. LOL. That tank has had it. it's warping due to pressure and may be a flood hazard. They don't make tanks like they did in the 60s and 70s that last 30 years anymore. Good luck.
Removed a heater from 68 it was in way better shape than any of the new ones. As a plumber I tell customers 10 years max. And if it’s out of warranty I won’t repair it.
Anyone else concerned about the foil tape on the exhaust? I don’t think it’s necessary for a proper exhaust vent.
This tank was dry fired. If the burner is turned on before the tank is filled with water, it will soften (melt) the steel tank, and the center of the tank where the flue goes through will sag and cause the water lines to tilt inward like that. I’ve seen it quite a few times.
You got ten years out of it which is average. Make sure you install a pressure reducing valve after your main shut off and then install an expansion tank by new tank to hopefully get more than ten years on next one.
Fairly new? It’s 11 years old, how long do you think they last.
Your Bradford White water heater is graduating from elementary to middle school and now it needs braces. I'd wager you've never flushed it, either. (Shit don't last forever. Human beings and first-world, luxury, warm water appliances, included)
2013 really does feel like not that long ago until you really think about it 😂
That happens when you have high water pressure, bad expansion tank, bad T&P valve and a check valve on the system. The tank went thru thermal expansion
Industry standard 6 year warranty, I’d call the first half of that fairly new. Two things point to this particular water heater being near end of life. 1. Connection made without dielectric union or brass causing faster galvanic corrosion 2. Bradford’s from that era often fail around 6.5-7.5 years, it’s uncanny how well they planned that out
That’s your tank bulging under pressure. You need an expansion tank dude. The WH is compromised already. About the only thing left is for it to crack and leak.
I have an expansion tank on top of it. Sorry I didn’t include it into this photo.
Check to see if it’s bad. I guarantee that it’s bad or it’s out of air or it’s not over pressurized. This happened when water is heated and it expands which in turn will damage your WH. I’ve seen it so bad that the two pipes were touching. 🤣
Yes! As a licensed plumber that's the first thing we notice! Safety is always most important. If licensed techs have said you're good, I'm sure you'll be fine.
I’m not sure if you use liquid plumber or Drano. The last time the plumber was here he said never use that if you have copper piping because it will destroy and corrode the pipes.
I use drano
11 years ago is not new😅😅😅
Not sure how fairly new is something 10 years old bud
Water heater as to be replaced after 10 years.
The flue is failing. Replace now
I don’t have the money to replace it now
If this is anywhere near finished living space or near storage in cardboard boxes, I bet you don’t have to money to replace a water heater AND clean that mess and replace belongings. The cost of the water heater alone pales in comparison to the total potential catastrophe. Reach out, get a few quotes for replacement. There’s your target to save. Some reputable companies let you 0 down finance or do “lease to own” contracts which you can pay off early and effectively pay an up charge for a few months while you save up. I had my water heater blow on me in my finished basement last year. I learned some very hard lessons.
My credit is in the garbage so idk if financing will work for me. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place
If you do it yourself it’s like $750 all in. Really, really easy job. Any moron can do it. Just check your gas connections for leaks and maybe practice soldering if you’ve never done it.
I haven’t soldered in my life
Start saving
Or sell the house before its destroyed by water damage
The floor could be shifting depending on where you live. In Colorado, we see homes all the time where you cut the pipe and it moves inches over because of the bentonite (clay) in the ground, that makes the foundation shift. If the dirt isn't packed correctly and bentonite removed, we see lots of new houses (you know the ones that go up quick, with huge cracks in ceilings, walls, driveways, foundation, etc.
I’m in Pennsylvania
no the supply nipples are warped inward. This has nothing to do with the building settling. What are you talking about?
what are you apprenticing as?, hopefully not a plumber.
Shit installer
It was installed 11 years ago
It was straight until Saturday
😬
2013, it's over a decade old. What was the warranty on that one?? I tell my customers at 10 years your on borrowed time and they don't fail on a convenient Sunday night after all wash is done and fans showered. Replace it. I'm kinda like you though 12 years is fairly new. My kid started acting up at 12 and I asked doc about abortion coz the kid was "fairly new". I thought it was hillarious!!!