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Learn How to Deal with Sediment in Your Water Heater

May 20, 2019

Learn How to Deal with Sediment in Your Water Heater

Your water heater is an essential mechanism in keeping your home comfortable. Without a working water heater, you can’t shower, wash your clothes, or clean the dishes. If your water heater is not working at peak capacity, then it is likely time to contact a plumber. It may be an issue of sediment building up in your water heater.

Read on to learn three ways you can potentially deal with this sediment. If you need help, contact 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration and we can provide comprehensive plumbing solutions.

Change the Temperature

The temperature of the water heater can make a huge difference when it comes to how much sediment can buildup. Though some materials will dissolve if they are put into high temperatures, the opposite is true of the minerals that lead to sediment. Magnesium and calcium are actually more likely to develop if the temperature is high because they essentially congeal together.

Look at your owner’s manual to determine the heat setting recommended by the manufacturer. If you do not have one, then make sure it is not set higher than 120F. This is the temperature that’s most often recommended by manufacturers. If you get higher, you may start having issues with sediment.

Have a Water Softener Installed in Your Home

Hard water has trace amounts of heavy minerals such as calcium and magnesium. As time goes on, the minerals in this water can buildup inside your hot water tank and the walls of your pipes. If enough of this happens, then the water heater will not be as effective.

Remember that hard water is not just affecting your water heater and pipes though – it can be bad for your skin, hair, and clothes. It also creates soap scum. If you have issues with hard water then installing a water softener can be the solution to all of these issues.

Have Your Water Heater Flushed

We recommend flushing your water heater at least once per year, though twice is better. There may be a guide on how to do this in your water heater’s owner manual. That said, this can be a tricky process and it may be worth it to call in the professionals. In fact, there are other maintenance services that can be completed at the same time to ensure that your water heater is running at top efficiency.

Call Us Today for Water Heater Maintenance

If you ready for water heater maintenance then we strongly recommend you contact 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration at 866-437-0205. Do not wait for your water heater to lose its power, to run less efficiently, or to break entirely before you get help. Call us today and we can set up a maintenance plan that works for you and your budget.