[ND_Irish]

Did you check the manufacturer's label on the hot water tank to ensure it is the original hot water tank? I'm not sure what brand you have, but if it is a Rheem, they typically have a 6-year warranty. You usually can go online and type in the serial number to see if it is under warranty. If it is under warranty, you can at least get a new hot water tank for free although there may be a small exchange fee for the old tank. Obviously, you still will have to pay the labor costs for installation.

[SoHoVe]

I admit the straps are a good idea but is an expansion tank required by code now???

[tiger08]

Originally Posted by jaimilyn

Do you have a home warranty? A leaking water heater is covered under that. (found this out the hard way a couple months ago...)

*eta*depending on coverage selections. still worth checking if you have a home warranty (different than home insurance)

Lol. Before we bought our house, we rented for a year and when our water heater quit, the property manager called the home warranty company and found out that they would have to pay an additional 250 bucks on top of the basic warranty call charge. The extra 250 was for earthquake straps, permit etc.

Well, the property manager didnt want to pay and finally after 4 days of no hot water, I said go buy one and I'll install it. That afternoon when I got home, there was a big box sitting on our front porch.

[bayview6]

The best way to make your gas hot water heater last longer is to set the thermostat to the warm setting and using a water softener. If you really want to ge the most out of the heater turn off the water softener for a few hours each day so some minerals get into the tank. Most tank failures come from using a water softener or not using one. Allowing some minerals to get into the tank helps prevent the salt from corroding the steel. Not using a water softener with our very hard water will eventually fill the tank with minerals.

[Girlesq]

In my old house, I had the water heater replaced by the warranty company-- I didn't pay anything above the service fee and they installed the straps. My new house has a tankless water heater; I'm not sure how long they last, but so far, so good. On a related note, I had to call a plumber yesterday because my pool fill was leaking. I found one on Yelp, and I would highly recommend him. Since adding the pool, I haven't added that to my warranty, but I'm actually glad that I was able to choose my own plumber as opposed to waiting for the warranty company. Anyway, if you do want an honest, fair and reasonably priced plumber, I recommend All Aces Plumbing.

[gvc8]

Originally Posted by SoHoVe

I admit the straps are a good idea but is an expansion tank required by code now???

google is your friend:
Why expansion tank is needed

Water Heater Expansion Tank | Why expansion tank is needed - Baltimore Sun



that being said, it seems they are always trying to add stuff to hose consumers . most home warranty plumbers will probably charge an exorbitant price to add any of these code required add-ons. like the OP stated, the tank is cheap but all the other stuff needed tripled the quote.

[Cold Warrior]

My water heater came with a pressure relief valve for that purpose. Until now I have never heard of an expansion tank.

[SportyandMisty]

If it is not too late, when you have your new water heater installed, do the following PRIOR to filling it with water:

1) remove the hose bib drain at the bottom of the tank. Replace it with a ball-valve with hose thread end. Then, once every few months, attach a hose to this & drain it for 2 or 3 minutes out to the gutter.

Draining it for 2 or 3 minutes allows sediment to flush out. A ball valve has allows more sediment to pass than a traditional house bib valve.

It is important to flush sediment for the future life of your tank. When you do not flush it, the sediment builds up inside the stainless steel tank forming an insulating layer. This makes the water heater "work harder" to heat the water. The outside of the internal tank will get too hot attempting to transfer energy to the water inside because of this insulating layer of crud, and this reduces the life expectancy of the tank.

2) remove the sacrificial anode rod from the top of the tank, then put some teflon tape on its threads, then reinstall it. This will make replacing the sacrificial anode rod easier 6 years from now.

If you purchase a tank with a 12 year warranty, it will have two separate sacrificial anode rods, so do this to both. The only difference between a tank with a 6 year warranty and one with a 12 year warranty is the former has a single sacrificial anode rod while the latter has two.

Then, every 6 years or so, replace the sacrificial anode rod. Home Depot & Lowes do not stock them, although you can purchase them from their website. Plumbing Supply stores do keep them in stock.

The sacrificial anode rod is about 3/4 of an inch in diameter and about 3 to 4 feet long, and screws in from the top of the tank, suspending the rod in the water. It is made from pure aluminum (although a few are pure magnesium). The water "eats away" the sacrificial anode rod instead of the steel of the stainless steel tank (hence the name "sacrificial"). Once the sacrificial anode rod is "consumed", the water will start to eat away at the stainless steel of the tank. Then, at some point, it springs a leak.

Replacing the sacrificial anode rod prior to its having been completely consumed will ensure the stainless steel of the tank remains uncompromised.

If you follow the above, you will never need to replace this water heater.

Everything you need to know can be found here: www.waterheaterrescue.com

[bayview6]

Interesting read on the effect of water softeners on water heaters.

http://www.hotwater.com/lit/bulletin/bulletin61.pdf

[longton52]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I ended up calling WATER HEATER PROs yesterday. Their quote was $250 less than Sears, altho when I described the pipes he said it might be an additional $120 to replace them. Service was scheduled today between 11 and 12.

Well ... they just left and I am a happy camper. I definitely recommend this company. They actually arrived early ! (called first to see if it was ok). They said it was the original tank, 14 yrs old so the previous owner must have maintained it well. They said a little maintenance goes a long way so they showed me how to drain the tank and change the anode. And the pipes were fine so there was no extra charge. Plus they honored the Angie's List coupon even tho I forgot to mention it when I made the appt.

On time, no upsell, no extra charges, and the final bill was $25 less than quoted. Very polite, professional. YAY !