Water heater maintenance for Austin homes

The annual routine

Three tasks cover most of the lifespan question on a tank unit.

• Flush several gallons until the water runs clear of sediment.
• Inspect the anode rod every two to three years and replace it when heavily consumed.
• Test the temperature and pressure relief valve, and confirm the discharge pipe is routed correctly.

Signs the unit is near the end

Water heaters give warnings. Most people notice them a week before the failure and do nothing.

• Rumbling or popping during heating, which is sediment boiling under the burner.
• Rusty hot water, or corrosion at the fittings on top of the tank.
• Any moisture at the base of the tank, however small.
• Recovery that takes noticeably longer than it used to.

Where the unit lives matters

Attic-installed heaters are common in Austin and they are the worst place for a leak. Confirm the drain pan is intact and the pan drain actually terminates outside, then consider a leak sensor with an automatic shutoff valve.

Questions we get

How long does a water heater last in Austin?

Eight to twelve years for a maintained tank unit, and fifteen to twenty for a maintained tankless. Hard water and skipped flushes are what pull those numbers down.

Is tankless worth it here?

It is, if you commit to annual descaling. A neglected tankless in Austin water will underperform within a few years, which is where most of the negative opinions come from.

What is an expansion tank and do I need one?

It absorbs pressure when water heats and expands. Many Austin homes with a pressure-reducing valve or check valve need one, and code has required them on new installs for years.

Keep reading

• Hard water in Austin and what it costs you · Plumbing
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• Catching leaks before they cost you · Plumbing