HOME CARE · PLUMBING & WATER HEATER
Plumbing & Water Heater
Water heaters have a predictable lifespan and an unpredictable failure mode. Knowing which side of the 10-year mark yours is on changes whether you’re planning or reacting. Pipe material is the other variable worth understanding early: a home with original galvanized supply lines is on borrowed time, and a repipe on your schedule costs less than a flood on the pipe’s.
General guidance for typical Portland-area homes. Your home’s systems, age, and site may differ. When in doubt, ask. Electrical, gas, roofing work above the first story, and sewer repairs belong to licensed professionals.
TASK SCHEDULE
| TASK | FREQUENCY / NOTE |
|---|---|
| Tank water heater: flush sediment | Yearly |
| Tank water heater: anode rod check | Every 3–5 years |
| Tank water heater lifespan | Roughly 8–12 years. Past 10, plan the replacement before it chooses its own timing |
| Tankless: descale/service | Yearly (more with hard water) · lifespan roughly 15–20 years |
| Earthquake strapping on water heater | Verify present and snug (required practice here) |
| Hose bibs | Disconnect hoses + insulate covers every fall |
| Know your supply pipe material | Once, then plan accordingly |
PIPE MATERIALS, DECODED
Galvanized steel (common pre-1960s) corrodes from the inside and is at or past end of life in most homes. Declining pressure is the tell. Copper (1950s onward) is long-lived. PEX and modern materials serve newer homes. If your home has original galvanized, a repipe is a when, not an if, and a far better project on your schedule than a leak’s.
WHEN TO CALL A PRO
Electrical, gas, roofing work above the first story, and sewer repairs belong to licensed professionals. Nathan is not a licensed professional engineer; his observations are informational, drawn from his 23-year career in structural engineering.