If you’ve ever heard that your plumbing system might be affected by “hard water,” you probably don’t have to worry too much about your health. Minerals like calcium and magnesium may leave behind deposits in your plumbing, but they aren’t really a concern as far as your drinking water is concerned.
But you should start to think about how you can protect your plumbing system from some of the more frustrating effects of hard water.
How Hard Water Affects a Water Heater
Hard water leaves behind deposits that can build up around your drains, on your faucet, in your pipes, or in your appliances. In your water heater, hard water deposits tend to settle at the bottom of the tank.
You can probably tell if you have hard water if you are anywhere near your water heater when the hot water is in use. Steam bubbles attempting to rise to the top of the tank make a forceful popping or banging noise.
But this isn’t the worst of it. The sediment wears down the bottom of the tank rather quickly. The interior can wear down, leaving the steel exposed and increasing the rate of corrosion. Once a water heater begins to corrode, there’s no turning back. Replacement is your best option.
What You Can Do
You might be tempted to drain your water heater on your own, and it is possible. You’ll need to turn off the water and power and connect a hose to your water heater to drain it out. But we recommend leaving this job to a professional. This way, you know the job will be completed safely and properly.
Besides, professionals will perform a number of tasks to help your water heater:
- Flushing the tank to clear out sediment.
- Removing the anode rod to decide if it needs replacing.
- Checking the temperature and pressure valve.
Call Admiral Plumbing Services, LLC for water heater services in West Palm Beach. Nice people, super service!
