06-26-2011, 03:10 PM
All of these are great answers but the plumber is looking to fix what's not broken. So it sorta falls under the extended warranty/insurance category of "preventative maintenance" as opposed to real (and cheaper) preventative maintenance, which as davester said isn't necessarily difficult or expensive.
The problem comes when the homeowner tells the plumber to do that (replace old anode rods, flush tank etc.) and they look at it and balk due to the unit's age or their mood that day and say, "It'll still cost you $300 (or whatever) to have it all done, and a brand-new tank is only X amount more ..."
Consider these two paths:
1) Edumacate yourself on the recommended tank maintenance and perform it, knowing that things could break or get ugly and you'll kick yourself for trying to "fix what ain't broken.". Worse case, I know a plumber in your area who will replace the whole thing for $700.
2) Do nothing and set aside the $700 now, or add $700 to something that earns interest and wait for The Day to come.
The problem comes when the homeowner tells the plumber to do that (replace old anode rods, flush tank etc.) and they look at it and balk due to the unit's age or their mood that day and say, "It'll still cost you $300 (or whatever) to have it all done, and a brand-new tank is only X amount more ..."
Consider these two paths:
1) Edumacate yourself on the recommended tank maintenance and perform it, knowing that things could break or get ugly and you'll kick yourself for trying to "fix what ain't broken.". Worse case, I know a plumber in your area who will replace the whole thing for $700.
2) Do nothing and set aside the $700 now, or add $700 to something that earns interest and wait for The Day to come.