You’re not wrong about the lower element—hard water really does a number on those, especially if you’re in an area with a lot of mineral content. Five years isn’t that old, but I’ve seen elements go bad even sooner, depending on usage and water quality. Flushing helps, but it’s tough to get all the sediment out, especially if it’s been building up for a while. Sometimes you’ll get a chunk or two, but a lot just settles and hardens at the bottom.
Swapping the element is usually straightforward, like you said, but I always recommend checking the thermostat while you’re in there. Seen a few cases where the element looked bad, but the thermostat was also acting up. And yeah, newer heaters just don’t seem to last as long—cheaper parts, thinner tanks, you name it. Still, you did the right thing by tackling it yourself. Not everyone’s willing to get their hands dirty, but it saves a lot of hassle (and cash) in the long run.
Couldn’t agree more about those lower elements—hard water is brutal, and honestly, five years is about average in my experience, especially if the tenants are heavy users. I’ve had units where the element crapped out at three years because of all the calcium buildup. Flushing definitely helps, but yeah... once you’ve got a thick crust down there, it’s almost impossible to clear it all without pulling the whole thing apart.
Couple quick points I’ve learned:
- Always check both thermostats when you’re in there. Had a unit where the lower one was stuck and it looked like an element issue at first glance.
- If you’re already swapping parts, I’d replace the gasket too. Cheap insurance against leaks.
- Totally agree—new heaters just aren’t built like the old ones. I’ve got an old AO Smith from the 90s still going strong, while a newer Rheem barely made it to year six.
Props for diving in yourself. Most folks call a plumber at the first sign of trouble, but hands-on fixes really do save headaches (and money). It’s not glamorous work, but it pays off when you’re not waiting around for someone else to show up.
Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing—my heater’s only a few years old and already showing signs of wear. Flushing helped a bit, but there’s still some gunk at the bottom I can’t get out. Replacing the gasket is smart; I skipped that and had a slow leak for weeks before catching it. The newer models just don’t seem to last as long, which is frustrating after spending so much upfront. Guess regular maintenance is the only way to stretch it a bit further.
- Seen this play out in a bunch of my rentals. Doesn’t matter if it’s a “premium” brand or not—these newer heaters just don’t have the staying power the old tanks did. Had a Rheem from the 90s that outlasted two tenants and probably could’ve kept going if the city hadn’t forced an upgrade for efficiency.
- Flushing helps, but honestly, once you start seeing sediment build-up that won’t budge, it’s usually a sign the tank’s already on the decline. I’ve tried those “miracle” descaling solutions—never saw much difference. Sometimes you just end up chasing your tail.
- Gasket leaks are sneaky. Had one unit where the tenant didn’t mention the slow drip for months. By the time I caught it, the subfloor was a mess. Now I just swap the gaskets every couple years, whether they look bad or not. Cheap insurance.
- Not convinced regular maintenance is a cure-all, though. I do the annual flush, check the anode rod, all that jazz. Still, I’m lucky to get 8-10 years out of a tank these days. Used to be 15+ wasn’t unusual. Feels like planned obsolescence, but maybe that’s just me being cynical.
- One thing I’ve started doing: putting a pan with a water alarm under every new install. Saved me a headache more than once. Not a fix, but at least you catch leaks before they turn into a full-blown disaster.
- If you’re seeing lukewarm water already, keep an eye on the thermostat and the heating elements. Sometimes it’s just a cheap part, but more often it’s the tank itself giving up. I’ve learned not to throw good money after bad—sometimes replacement is just the smarter move, even if it stings the wallet.
- Bottom line, I wouldn’t expect miracles from these newer models. Maintenance helps, but don’t count on it doubling the lifespan. Just my two cents from the trenches.
- Seen a lot of tanks tap out early these days, too. Had a Bradford White barely make it to year 7 before the bottom rusted through—tenant called it “the world’s smallest indoor pool.” Swapping gaskets is smart, but yeah, nothing really makes ‘em last like the old ones. Water alarms are a lifesaver, though... caught a pinhole leak last month before it ruined the drywall. Sometimes it almost feels like these things are designed to fail right after the warranty’s up.
