Hey everyone! I recently purchased my first home, and it came with a 10-year-old electric Bradford White water heater that's running smoothly. However, given the overall condition of the house, I suspect this heater hasn't been cleaned or maintained at all. I'm looking for tips on how to give it a thorough cleaning. I know the basics of flushing, but are there any extra steps you would recommend? Additionally, are there any parts I should consider replacing to help extend its lifespan? Just a note—I'm in Oklahoma, so we deal with hard water. Model number RE35056 if that helps!
3 Answers
Honestly, given it's a 10-year-old unit that hasn't seen any maintenance, it could be a good idea to start saving for a new one. It might last a while longer, or it could fail anytime, especially if you start poking around in it. Best to leave it be unless you’re ready to replace it soon!
I’ve had a similar experience! If the heater hasn't been touched in a long time, flushing it might just cause more problems. I had a 15-year-old heater and barely got any water out of it when I tried to drain it. It’s often a lot of buildup inside, so unless you're super confident, I’d lean towards leaving it alone for now!
You might want to flush it out as a starting point, but I’d recommend using an endoscope camera to check the tank’s condition and inspect that Sacrificial Anode Rod as well. Be prepared, though, you might need to replace the whole unit if it looks bad. Just be mindful of the potential costs down the road!