Hard water can cause serious problems for appliances, especially your home's water heater. Mineral buildup inside your water heater tank consisting of calcium, magnesium, and other deposits can greatly reduce its lifespan. Luckily, you can prevent unexpected troubles – and the untimely demise of this often overlooked but frequently used appliance - with a little bit of routine maintenance.
Sneaky sediment
Just as your HVAC system needs maintenance, so too does your water heater to keep mineral sediment from building up and clogging fixtures. Its mere operation – heating water – produces the sediment that lines your tank. The hotter the water, the greater the sediment buildup, making turning down the temperature a smart move not only to prevent burns and over-inflated utility bills, but to protect the efficiency and lifespan of this appliance.
Just as your HVAC system needs maintenance, so too does your water heater to keep mineral sediment from building up and clogging fixtures. Its mere operation – heating water – produces the sediment that lines your tank. The hotter the water, the greater the sediment buildup, making turning down the temperature a smart move not only to prevent burns and over-inflated utility bills, but to protect the efficiency and lifespan of this appliance.
Flushing – It’s not just for the toilet
You can rid your water heater of sediment much the same as you would rid waste in the bathroom – with a simple flush. How can you accomplish this?
You can rid your water heater of sediment much the same as you would rid waste in the bathroom – with a simple flush. How can you accomplish this?
- Turn off the power and/or the gas.
- Close the shutoff valve on the cold water supply pipe.
- Release pressure in the tank by turning on a hot water faucet anywhere in the house.
- Drain the water, taking care to remember it is scalding hot, and must be handled carefully. Two-to-three gallons should be sufficient.
- Close the drain valve. If it won’t close completely after the flush, you may need a replacement.
- Restore water supply so your tank can fill.
- Note noises indicate air in the system, and are not harmful.
- Red alert! Turning on your water heater before it has refilled with water could permanently damage the heater – or create a dangerous situation.
- Turn on a faucet in your home to purge air in the system.
- Turn the power back on/re-light the pilot.
- Repeat this flushing process every four-to-six months.
- If you are unsure of your ability to complete any of the tasks above, enlist the help of a dependable service and maintenance heating repair professional.
De-liming: Not a DIY endeavor
Notice a hard buildup on the surface of your tank’s interior during flushing? This hard lime or scale buildup results from tanks that go too long between flushing or cleaning, or in systems heating extremely hard water. As with scale, it can also cause operational issues, reduced efficiency, and shortened system life. Flushing will not clear it. Removing it requires the use of strong chemicals which, if used improperly, could create dangerous conditions including etching and damage to your tank, exposure to acid burns during cleanout, water contamination, and even explosion. Do not try this at home. Reducing lime scale buildup in your tank is better and more safely managed by turning down the temperature of the heater (120 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended), flushing your tank if you are capable, and calling a pro for regular professional maintenance including a more thorough cleaning and inspection of essential components such as electrodes and pressure relief valve.
Notice a hard buildup on the surface of your tank’s interior during flushing? This hard lime or scale buildup results from tanks that go too long between flushing or cleaning, or in systems heating extremely hard water. As with scale, it can also cause operational issues, reduced efficiency, and shortened system life. Flushing will not clear it. Removing it requires the use of strong chemicals which, if used improperly, could create dangerous conditions including etching and damage to your tank, exposure to acid burns during cleanout, water contamination, and even explosion. Do not try this at home. Reducing lime scale buildup in your tank is better and more safely managed by turning down the temperature of the heater (120 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended), flushing your tank if you are capable, and calling a pro for regular professional maintenance including a more thorough cleaning and inspection of essential components such as electrodes and pressure relief valve.
Hot water heater left you high and dry? H&H Heating & Air can help, with after-hours and emergency services to get your life back afloat. Contact us today.
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