Dangers of Water Heater Sediment

Why Flush My Water Heater?

Most people don’t think about flushing their hot water heater. Changing the oil in their car, yes! But why do maintenance on your hot water heater? The reason is simple, sediment is a naturally occurring mineral called calcium carbonate, or CaCO3, and is the primary mineral responsible for water hardness. Whether your water comes from a municipality or a private well, your water heater is susceptible to sediment buildup. Sediment is common in water heaters, and manufacturers require regular flushing to prevent sediment build-up.

Problems Caused By Sediment In The Water Heater

Sediment buildup can affect your water heater in destructive ways if not addressed. Here’s a few:

Lowers effectiveness

Sediment collects in the bottom of your water heater and prevents heat from reaching your water as easily. Think of using a blanket to keep the heat in and the cold air out. Sediment acts the same with your water, so the water coming through your pipes is not as warm as it should be. The more sediment builds up, the less your water is heated until the system stops working altogether.

Decreases efficiency

Before your water heater fails, it will attempt to overcome sediment build-up by working harder. As energy output increases to keep your water at a suitable temperature, your gas or electric bill will climb to an unusual total.

Interior heater damage

Sediment build-up causes the metals on the bottom of the water heater to warp and deform. The heat also causes the sediment to shift and clank around the interior of the tank, which can damage your heater’s interior lining. As the lining wears away, the steel beneath can deteriorate and corrode until the entire unit must be replaced, which is more expensive than a simple flush.

Bacteria problems

One of the problems that sediments can cause is bacterial growth. These bacteria do not cause any disease, although they oxygenate corroding your water heater lining. When the bacteria are compounded with sediments and high amount of heat the result can be quite destructive.

Flooding

If your water heater becomes significantly damaged by the sediment and continual overheating, it can leak and flood your home. At this point you’ll need a new water heater and someone to remove the water from your home.

Water contamination

Sediment can erode the lining of your water heater, causing the tank to rust. This rust can then go into your home plumbing system piping and water supply. Even though rust may not have harmful effects if consumed in small quantities, other harmful metals or chemicals can be released from your piping system.

How Do You Get Sediment Out Of A Water Heater?

Sediment can be easily removed from a water heater through regular flushing and a water softening system. Above & Beyond Service Company has solutions to avoid premature water heater failure and keep your family safe from the effects of sediment.

Why choose Above + Beyond Service Company

Serving Edmond, Oklahoma City, Guthrie, Yukon and nearby locations, Above + Beyond Service Company has experienced professional plumbers whose focus is customer satisfaction and safety.

Concerning costs, Above + Beyond are highly competitive, with accurate estimates, reasonable rates for parts and labor and flexible financing options.

Contact Above + Beyond Service Company for all your water and sewer line repair needs.