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How Long Does a Water Heater Last?

I was in my basement with my parents on Thanksgiving night. I was giving my mom some of my old sweatshirts and fleeces. I have a million of them and some of them do go out of the rotation. I am not a handy person. We do not put hammers or other tools into my hands. Well, you do if you want a good laugh.

Well, I was in our basement bathroom and it also where our waterheater is. I noticed the date on my waterheater and a date that was nearly 16 years old. I asked my dad how long should a waterheater last. Well, I got the answer, about two more days. I so jinxed myself.

I know it nearly impossible to tell when a waterheater is going to go bad, but if you can do preventative care on your major appliances. I am getting it fixed today. So, I will not be without a shower for too long, The only ones that have to deal with that is my family, and they have to love me.

So, check your major appliances and with proper care you can hopefully avoid the major breakdowns.

Dave Woodson - Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Posted by Dave Woodson on 11/25/2007 11:09 AM

Comments (5)

dave woodson, major appliances, michigan city, mortgage

5 Comments on How Long Does a Water Heater Last?

Hey Dave,

The life span of a water heater will depend greatly on where in the country you live and the quality of the water. I would think that being in Indiana, you are getting very close to the life span of your water heater. If I were you, I would be looking to replace it soon. Various things can make your water heater stop working, but the last one you want having is a hole developing that lets the water leak out and ruin your floors. I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and 15 to 20 years was max on a water heater. Dow here in Florida I would think the life expectancy to be 10 years of a little less.

Sean Allen

11/25/2007 11:15 AM

by International Financing Solutions

Life span and warranty are two things that do not correlate when speaking of a water heater. If you go to the big box home centers you will see that the warranty is about 3-6 years. Here in my part of the country it is not unusual to see a 15-20 year old unit. Also as a side note some people call them a hot water heater, I don't know why you would need to heat hot water.

11/25/2007 11:22 AM

by Eldon Holliday (National Property Inspections)

15 years tops here before it becomes a potential danger in the house...

11/25/2007 11:27 AM

by Courtney Cooper, Seattle Realtor/Broker- Seattle Real Estate, Seattle WA (Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services - Seattle Real Estate )

Great point ... I put together a reminder list of dates that my clients should check major appliances and have them serviced ... then I use this and set-up a drip system to email them the reminder.

11/25/2007 11:32 AM

by Allen Wright CNS, AHS, REPS (RealtyU)

For the most part, the industry average is about 8 - 12 years. Electric water heaters do not seem to last as long as gas. Calcium build-up in hard water areas should be drained annually. I hope that this helps.

11/25/2007 01:14 PM

by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.)