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old water heater

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montek
montek Member Posts: 39
in Strictly Steam

Hello all Nice to chat with you. I have a 41 years old(yes 41 year old ) Rheem Imperial PLUS water heater that was installed in our home before we moved in and here is is 41 years later and it is still here. Our plumber warned us to replace it some 10 years or more ago and we did NOT and it is still here. We have 3 people living in our home myself m y wife and my 31 year old daughter. We have never had brown water and never had a loss of hot water. If you were to look at the OUTSIDE of the unit it looka brand new. No water stains anywhere and no corrosion to seak of anywhere either. We have taken all preciauions with a Govee sensor and a smart water system called Phynn. But regardless the unit is still 41 years old. A lot of talk between myself and friends and hey are all worrying me that I really need to replace this unit. So a plumber recommended an AO smith. I did NOT get the model yet BUT I have been doing some research and I would like your opinion. The two units I am looking at now are the Bradford White(BW) model number RG240T6N Or the AO SMITH- XCR 40. I would ask about an extension tank as well and definitely a POWERED anode rod so that the rod woud never need replacing and increase the protection for the tank itself.(I would NOT have a problem spending a liktle more NOW to ensure that this new water heater would last as LONG as possible. Please let me know which brand you guys prefer and how similar they are to my present model of 41 years called the Rheem Imperial Plus Model 41X40. I want durability and ease of use( no wifi and no bells and whistles) I hears that the AO smith is simpler to do since the installation of the powered anode rod is simpler than the installation for the BW unit(needs a Y fitting) I want my new unit to last a long long time( I know it will never beat the 41 years I have had now BUT I want to make it last as long as possible by doing everythig right the first time. 
I actually called Rheem like 10 years ago and they mentioned that some models from back in 1985 have lasted many many years and then they asked me if I ever maintained this unit. I said NO and they said DO NOT START NOW. (LOL) they said whatever is on the bottom of my unit is actually the glue that is keeping the unit together. And like I mentioned there is are NO signs of damage or water stains anywhere on my unit-but it is still 41 years old. Please let me know what you guys think. Thank you all.

Comments

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 12,293

    Important Question:
    What is stored on the floor around your water heater? For example, if you have important papers or documents stored within a few feet of the water heater, you may want to reconsider that decision.

    Next:
    If a water heater fails, it will most likely start with a slow leak. You may first notice water collecting on the floor near the base of the tank. That is often a sign that the unit has already reached the end of its service life.

    There is always the possibility that you will not be home to catch a small leak before it becomes a larger problem. When that happens, water damage can occur, and you may need to contact your insurance company. In many cases, the water heater itself is not covered, but the resulting water damage may be.

    For that reason, it’s a good idea to avoid storing anything valuable near the water heater—especially items that could be damaged by water.

    Any water heater you purchase today—whether from Bradford White, A.O. Smith, Rheem, State, or another manufacturer—is unlikely to last as long as older units did, so it’s important to plan accordingly.

    Good luck with your decision.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,899

    put a pan under the new one if you're worried about it leaking

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,899

    but i'd run the current one until it leaks.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,248
    edited 4:15AM

    As @EdTheHeaterMan said they usually start to seep. Not that they can't let go, I had one that did.

    I woke up one night to the sound of rain (or so I thought) . I went to the front door to look outside and there was no rain. O S—t. I didn't even put my glasses on and headed for the basement.

    At the bottom of the stairs 15 feet from the WH the water hit me in the face.

    It is rare for a WH to do that. Most all of them start with a slow leek.

    I had a 5 year tank last 15 years that was the best i could do.

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