So yesterday I was down in my basement looking for some old camping gear, and I happened to glance at my water heater...you know, the thing looks ancient. I mean, it's been there since I moved in, and I've been here about 10 years. Got me wondering if there's stuff I should be checking regularly, like rust or leaks or whatever. I tapped on it a little (like that would help, lol) and it seems solid enough, but honestly I have no clue what I'm looking for.
I'm kinda paranoid now, thinking it'll just decide to flood the basement one day. Has anyone else had their water heater randomly give out? Or do you guys actually inspect yours regularly...and if so, what exactly do you look for? I'm not exactly handy, so any tips would be appreciated.
- Check around the bottom for rust or dampness—usually the first signs of trouble.
- Look at the pressure relief valve occasionally; if it's dripping, that's a red flag.
- Honestly though, heaters can last surprisingly long...but 10+ years? I'd keep an eye on it.
