I have a 22-year-old water heater that is still functioning but it's been making some pretty violent popping noises lately. I tried flushing it about 8 years ago, but I don't think I got all the sediment out. Now I'm wondering if flushing it again might cause more harm than good at this age. I've read that disturbing the sediment might actually lead to leaks, which is a concern since I'm already hearing those popping sounds. If I decide not to flush and it does leak, will the leaks be slow and gradual or sudden? By the way, the hot water looks clear and clean, not brown at all.
3 Answers
Congrats on squeezing 22 years out of your water heater! But seriously, it’s probably time to think about replacing it before it leaks when you least expect it. You don’t want it to burst on a Friday night when you're out of town.
Replacing the sacrificial anode would be more beneficial than flushing at this point. The popping sounds are due to calcification, and regular maintenance on that part is crucial. If you haven't changed the anode in 22 years, you should definitely start saving for a replacement heater. It's easy to swap out yourself, and trust me, it's worth it!
Honestly, I wouldn't flush it right now. Just get ready to replace it soon before it ends up failing. If it hasn't been flushed regularly, doing it now after so long can cause some new problems.
Can replacing the anode actually prolong the life of my heater? Also, if it does eventually leak, will it likely start gradually or will it suddenly burst? I'm a bit worried about that.