Problems Caused by Sediment in Your Water Heater

Much like your car and many appliances in your home, your water heater needs regular maintenance to ensure it functions the way it should and you receive as much hot water as you need, when you need it. Annual flushing is one of the most crucial forms of maintenance because it gets rid of the sediment, calcium and other deposits that collect in the bottom of the tank. This post from your favorite plumbing contractor in Colorado Springs, CO will cover the dangers of neglecting to flush your water heater every year.

Less hot water

The first thing you’ll notice if you have a ton of sediment buildup in your water heater is a lack of hot water. Water heaters work by heating the water at the bottom of the tank, so it makes sense that if there’s a buildup of calcium and other minerals, your water heater won’t be able to do its job as well. You may notice only slightly cooler water at first, but trust us when we say that problem will only get worse as that sediment continues to accumulate.

Higher energy bills

Be it gas or electricity, your water heater needs to use some form of energy to actually heat the water, which means you’ll have to pay for it each month in your energy bill. This cost obviously varies depending on the size of your water heater, its energy efficiency and whether it’s gas or electric. However, you should pay about the same amount each month. If your gas or electric bill seems to be getting a bit higher, you may want to consider flushing out your water heater. Water heaters with sediment buildup have to work harder to heat the water, which means they use up more energy each time they run, therefore leading to a higher bill.

Leaks

Every water heater has a protective lining that guards against rust and other forms of damage inside the appliance. Though this lining is quite hardy, it can run into problems if there’s a lot of sediment in the tank. The more sediment in your tank, the longer your water heater needs to run to heat the water, and the longer your unit runs, the greater the chance that the tank overheats and cracks that protective lining. When that lining breaks, there’s a higher probability that rust will develop, which can eventually lead to a leak in your water heater.

Home water damage

When that heater bursts, that’s 60 to 80 gallons of water on your floor! Regardless of where your water heater is located in your home, that’s bound to cause some serious damage that can cost thousands of dollars to repair (not to mention the fact that you’ll need to replace your water heater).

If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, it’s time to call a certified plumbing contractor in Colorado Springs, CO. When you choose Affordable Rooter, you can rest easy knowing that we’ll flush out your water heater without breaking the bank. Get in touch with us today to learn more!

Categorised in: Plumbing Contractor

This post was written by Writer