If you have a hot water tank in the basement of your Toronto home, then you already know that there is a limit to the amount of hot water that you will have access at any given time. A thirty gallon tank will generally provide about 15 to 20 minutes of hot water before it begins to run out. A 50 gallon tank will provide more hot water, but will still be limited.
While there are better alternatives to hot water tanks, it’s a good idea to be aware that the average hot water tank will fail within five to ten years. There are a few factors that could shorten the life of your hot water heater, the most significant being the corrosive nature of water that comes into your home.
If you rely on city water (meaning you pay the city for your water), then you could find that there is a lot of iron, fluoride, or other corrosive matter in the water. If you rely on well water, you could have better water that won’t corrode the hot water tank as quickly.
No matter what type of water you rely on, though, eventually the tank for your hot water heater will fail. If it does, this could lead to significant flooding, especially if you’re not home or paying attention when it does fail.
A key sign to look for with your hot water heater.
You most likely won’t be aware that your tank is about to fail through the hot water that you’re receiving through the tap. Go into the basement, garage, or closet where the hot water tank is stored. Pay attention to the base. There is a tray that is about an inch or two thick that the tank sits on. Around this lip, if you begin to notice rust or corrosion, then it’s a sign that the tank could be at the beginning edge of failing.
The materials in the tank that heat the water create a more corrosive nature for the metal around the tank. As noted, most hot water heaters will last about 10 years, but with more corrosive water, corrosion can begin within about 5 years.
If you have any questions about whether your hot water heater is beginning to fail, call the experts at McKinnon Heating and Cooling to come out and take a look. We will be able to quickly determine whether it’s time to think about replacing that hot water heater. It could be the ideal time to consider a tankless water heater as well.