Your Water is not as Crystal Clear as You Think-The Evidence is in Your Water Heater!
You turn on the faucet and out comes sparkling, clear water. Little do you know, your water may be filled with minerals, sediment, and corrosive anaerobic bacteria. Typical uses of hot water involve cooking, cleaning, and bathing. A look inside your water heater will give you first hand evidence of what types of things can build up in your plumbing system and end up in the water you use on a regular basis.
If you have ever performed your annual water heater maintenance, you may have seen sediment in the flushed water. At first glance it may appear to be sand or grit but what you are seeing may be calcium carbonate build up, a mineral which settles to the bottom of your water heater wreaking havoc on your tank.
Sediment on the bottom of your tank can slow heat transfer and even overheat your tank, thus weakening the steel. This sediment also plays a major role in decreasing the energy efficiency of the water heater itself, and can even clog fixtures. If this isn't bad enough, corrosive anaerobic bacteria thrive in this type of environment shortening the life of your water heater.
Calcium carbonate and a variety of other materials that are not filtered out of your water, will build up in the bottom of your water heater. In as little as 5 years, you can see up to 10" of build up! Even if you have municipal water, particles will pass through the filtration system and into your home's water. If your home's water source is a well and you do not have a home filtration system, you surely will have a significant amount of grit and build up in your tank.
Let's talk about prevention. What are the ways that you as a homeowner can prevent build up in your water heater from reducing the efficiency and lifespan?
Water Filtration System– Although municipal water does have some filtration in place, this still does not fully prevent sediment and mineral build up. Only a whole home water filtration system will provide you with this benefit and increase the quality of the water you drink. If your water source is a well, water filtration is a must.
Water Softener- Lime build up can be significantly reduced with the installation of a water softener.
Regular Water Heater Maintenance- Your licensed plumber can perform annual water heater maintenance to diagnose any problems, sediment build up, and extend the life of your unit.
If you are hearing popping noises coming from your water heater, this can be a sign that you have some form of existing build up. With air getting trapped between the minerals and sediment, it is released with movement causing gurgling and popping sounds. Contact Casteel today to schedule your water heater maintenance and discuss the prevention of build up in your tank. It’s Just $39 Bucks for your trip charge and diagnostic.
Call (770) 766-1657 or schedule your appointment online.