Water heater just busted

[jayjohnson600]

I was working from home this morning and I heard the sound of rushing water.
I ran around to check the water fixtures, then made it to the water heater, and it was filling up the tray

Lucky that I was home when it happened. I closed the water line and shutoff the electric circuit, and only got a little on the floor.

Now I'm in the market for 2 new electric water heaters, so starting to dig around for info. Currently have tall ones, I think they are both 50gallon.
I don't know the history on these, they came with the house when I bought it from the bank as a foreclosure in 2010.

Wondering if on-demand electric water heaters improved to the point where they can keep up and make the replacement just a matter of cost justification ?

Seems like I remember there used to be a membership place for home builder supply, but can't recall the name. Also don't know if they have access to home appliances.

Any recent converts to on-demand care to share their experiences.

Jay Johnson

[black2002ls]

We will not build in a neighborhood that is not supplied with natural gas due to the inefficiency of electric tank less water heaters. I've not heard anything positive enough to justify the use of them.

With that said tank less is not the same as point source water heaters. Tank less take the place of the water heaters and supply the whole home with hot water. Point source are units that mount where hot water is needed. (sinks, tubs, washing machines, etc.) We use these in our job trailers, but that is my only experience with them and I'm not sure how viable an option that is for eliminating the water heater.

The tank most likely ruptured due to not being flushed regularly. You should flush your water heater about every 12 months. This reduces/removes the mineral build up on the bottom of the tank and helps reduce hot spots that can cause failure of the tank.

[95DRGT]

I've read and heard that flushing BS my whole life. I think most electric are only guaranteed for 8-10 years so when get close its time to replace. Mileage may vary. Most plumbers charge $1000-$1200 for replacement on 50 gal units (included). Code on install also can vary city to city on what is required (pan, drain, anti shutoff valves, leak detection...)

[yellowstang]

I've read and heard that flushing BS my whole life. I think most electric are only guaranteed for 8-10 years so when get close its time to replace. Mileage may vary. Most plumbers charge $1000-$1200 for replacement on 50 gal units (included). Code on install also can vary city to city on what is required (pan, drain, anti shutoff valves, leak detection...)

I've always heard the same, and owning 2 houses for 10 years each and never doing that, I still have yet to spring a leak. My old house the heater was there when we moved in, so it was probably closer to 12 - 15 years old. Replaced it a year before we moved out, just because the heating element broke and it would not heat up the water.

[kingjason]

When I moved in here the gas heater was still chugging along from 85. Op grab a cutter and some shark bite attachment hoses. Won't take you an hour to install one.

[cool cat]

I've always heard the same, and owning 2 houses for 10 years each and never doing that, I still have yet to spring a leak. My old house the heater was there when we moved in, so it was probably closer to 12 - 15 years old. Replaced it a year before we moved out, just because the heating element broke and it would not heat up the water.

When I moved in here the gas heater was still chugging along from 85. Op grab a cutter and some shark bite attachment hoses. Won't take you an hour to install one.

Hope you guys didn't MustangMarc yourselves.

[juiceweezl]

Op grab a cutter and some shark bite attachment hoses. Won't take you an hour to install one.

This. Not a difficult swap.

[kingjason]

Hope you guys didn't MustangMarc yourselves.

I had a new one put in under warranty when I moved in! I did put a new one in my old house before I moved.