How Minerals in Your Water Could Be the Cause for Your Water Heater Problems
A hot water heater works best when it is brand-new and when the water entering it is clean and free of minerals. If you are living in a home where the water is full of minerals, the condition of your water could be the reason you are experiencing problems with your water heater. Water that contains a lot of minerals is called hard water, and here are some things to know about the effects these minerals can have on your water heater.
What happens to minerals in the water you heat?
Many water heater heat water as it enters the system. The system has heating components in it, and these heating components increase the temperature of the water. The water then stays inside the tank until you turn on a faucet to the hot setting. When the water entering the system is good water, which means that it is not hard water, this process works great.
When hard water enters the system, the minerals in the water separate from the water. These minerals will separate and sink to the bottom of the tank. They will then remain there until you physically remove them.
How does this impact the functions of a water heater?
There are several problems with having mineral accumulation at the bottom of your tank. The first problem is that the minerals can become so thick that they prevent the heating components in the tank from heating the water or from keeping it hot. When this occurs, you will have trouble getting enough hot water out of your faucets. You may constantly find that you run out of hot water, or you might not have any hot water to use at any time until you address the problem.
The second problem with this is that it can cause your hot water heater system to have to work much harder to heat your water. This results in higher energy bills. If you fail to address the problem soon enough, it can also cause your system to wear out sooner than it should.
How do you solve this problem?
You can solve this problem in several different ways. The first is by hiring a plumber to flush the tank every couple of months; however, this can become costly. Another option is to hire a plumber to install a water treatment system in your home. This system would clean the water before it enters the water heater.
To learn more about the water heater repairs you might need, contact a plumber to find out what solution would work well for you.