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joepa
join:2000-08-02
Allen, TX

joepa

Member

17 year old gas hot water heater question

We have noticed our hot water heater doesn't seem to be getting as hot anymore so we have turned the thermostat setting to a higher temp. I didn't realize how old the water heater was and just looked up the manufacturing date today - 1996.

I haven't been cleaning this thing out, we have been in the house almost 7 years and I really haven't done anything to it. I was thinking about cleaning the sediment out of it but I have been seeing different view points on this. Some say don't even bother, replace it.

What do you all think? Should I replace it or try to clean it out? It is a bradford white heater.

CylonRed
MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County

CylonRed

MVM

Pretty much all covered here:

»Flush an old hot water heater?

jkj860
The Final Frontier
join:2002-01-10
Valparaiso, IN

jkj860 to joepa

Member

to joepa
And here:
»Hot Water Runs Out Quickly: What's Wrong With My Water Heate

PeeWee
Premium Member
join:2001-10-21
Madera, CA

PeeWee to joepa

Premium Member

to joepa
One that old should probably be replaced without looking for other reasons. It is going to fail when you are not ready for it. It probably also will save enough it utility bills to pay for itself in two years if not sooner.