Is your water heater experiencing problems? If you live in an area with hard water, your water could be the culprit.
Hard water is known to have a high mineral content. Normally, water absorbs minerals from the soil it is in. When water is high in magnesium, calcium, and other hard minerals, soap becomes less effective. Unfortunately, hard water can also lead to limescale buildup.
Over time, limescale can narrow the inside of your pipes, decreasing flow and water pressure. Unless you find a way to clean out your plumbing, the problem will only become worse over time.
You may have hard water if you notice the following problems.
- White spots on your dishes, faucets, and appliances
- Decreased water flow from your pipes
- A rusty appearance on glasses and flatware
- Rough or stiff clothing
- Higher water bills
- Cracked or leaky pipes
- Frequent plumbing repairs
Fortunately, you can reduce the risk of hard water damaging your water heater. With the following maintenance tips, you can minimize damage, protect your plumbing, and decrease future repair costs.
1. Invest in Annual Preventative Maintenance
One of the most important things you can do to protect your water heater is to schedule an annual inspection. Water heaters can last for years, but this is only true if they are repaired properly. In general, you should schedule a routine maintenance check at least once a year. If you notice signs of a problem, you should call a plumber ahead of schedule.
When one of our Camp Verde plumbers at Goettl's High Desert Mechanical comes to your house for a maintenance check, we will inspect the following parts of your water heater.
- Main burners and pilots
- Gas leaks
- Pressure safety and temperature valves
- Faucets
- Vent drafts
- Flue pipes
- Water leaks
- Exposed fixture drains
- Wiring
- Drain valves
- Thermostat operations
During this inspection, we’ll look for signs of a problem. If we need to, we can flush the water heater or replace faulty parts. Other than water heater maintenance, we also install and repair other parts of your plumbing system.
2. Flush the Water Heater
One major way to protect your water heater from hard water is to get it flushed regularly. In general, experts recommend getting your water heater flushed every six months. At the very least, you should get it flushed once per year.
To flush your water heater, the plumber will first turn the heat valve completely off. Next, the plumber will turn off the water supply valve. This helps relieve some of the pressure in your system.
Once the heat and water supply valves are off, the plumber will connect a hose to the pressure relief valve on the bottom of your tank. The other side of the hose will drain into a sump pump or floor drain.
At this point, the pressure relief valve should be opened up so that the water can drain out. After all of the water has drained, the hose can be removed. The pressure relief valve must be closed again.
The water must be refilled before you can use the water heater again. If the drained water contains visible white flakes, excess calcium is building up in your system.
3. Descale the Water Heater Tank
After your water heater is flushed, the plumber may notice that there is too much calcium in your system. To get rid of the limescale buildup, they will use a special descaling solution.
The plumber will pour a descaling solution into your water heater. Then, they will let it sit for a few hours. Once it has had a chance to break down the limescale buildup, the plumber will flush your tank one more time.
4. Get Your Anode Rod Inspected
An anode rod attracts minerals and corrosive elements in your water heater. In essence, it draws harmful elements toward itself so your tank isn’t damaged. Because of this, your anode rod is often the first part of your water heater that is affected by hard water.
During your annual inspection, your plumber will see if the anode rod exhibits signs of damage. If you have hard water, they may recommend getting an aluminum anode rod. Aluminum rods are known for withstanding hard water much better than zinc and magnesium rods.
How Does Hard Water Impact Your Water Heater?
For homeowners, hard water can be incredibly damaging. Other than drying out your skin and hair, hard water can cause lasting damage to your water heater. It normally takes several months or years to notice the damage.
Over time, the limescale buildup can reduce your water heater’s efficiency. This can lead to higher electricity costs. Additionally, different parts will start to fail.
If you don’t get your water heater flushed, the limescale will continue to build up into an insulating layer inside your tank. Eventually, this can cause your tank to overheat. It may also develop leaks or become too pressurized. Ultimately, hard water can reduce the lifespan of your water heater by several years.
Even if you have a tankless system, hard water can still cause major damage. It can build up on the heat exchanger, which can decrease the transmission of heat. As a result, you’ll end up paying more money on your power bill.
Without proper care, hard water can harm your water heater in different ways.
Decreased Performance
If your system is affected by significant buildup, your water heater won’t perform as well. This means it won’t get the water as hot as you need it to for showering and washing dishes. It may also take extra time to warm up water after you’ve used up the hot water that is in the tank.
Shorter Lifespans
Hard water can reduce the lifespan of your system. You may also have more repair calls if you don’t take preventative measures to protect your water heater.
Lower Efficiency
When you have a lot of limescale buildup in your system, your water heater must work much harder than it typically does. This leads to reduced energy efficiency.
More Flushing
If your home has hard water, it may need to be flushed more frequently. Normally, homes only have to be flushed once a year. If you have hard water in your house, your tank may need cleaning every three months.
Prevent Hard Water From Damaging Your Water Heater
At Goettl's High Desert Mechanical in Camp Verde, you can get your water heater inspected for signs of hard water. Other than offering routine maintenance services for water heaters and plumbing fixtures, we can also help with water softeners, heating repair services, air conditioner installations, and garbage disposals. If you want to learn more about our services, reach out to one of our team members today.
