The Impact Of Hard Waters On Water Heaters
The quality of the water that passes through the water heater in your home can substantially affect the appliance’s life span and repairs. If your water is considered hard, that can have major implications for the water heater and the types of repairs that need to be done.
But even if you have soft water, you’re not safe from the eventual buildup of scale that hard water can cause. It may take longer for a noticeable amount to appear. However, it can still affect the water heater’s ability to provide the hot water that you want, and that still costs you extra money in the end.
Water Hardness in the Pensacola Area
The Pensacola region has a mix of soft and hard water. Surveys have shown a good amount of variation from county to county, with some areas using water sources with relatively soft water and others using water sources that have more minerals. In general, the further east you go from the city of Pensacola and Escambia County, the harder the water is likely to be. But even the soft water that’s available isn’t completely without the minerals that cause scale buildup.
Even Softer Water Can Leave Minerals Behind
When water runs through a pipe and leaves a few drops behind, those drops eventually dry up. But they leave behind their mineral content because minerals like magnesium and calcium don’t evaporate. These spots and patches of yellowish and off-white, dried-up minerals gradually grow and expand as more scale is left behind.
Hard water leaves a lot of minerals behind, so the scale appears and grows quickly. Softer water doesn’t leave as much mineral residue behind, but it can leave a little bit each time that water evaporates. So, whether you’re in a location that uses a source with hard water or a source with soft water, you need to look out for scale buildup.
Mineral Buildup Blocks the Transfer of Heat
One area that suffers from scale buildup is the heating element or heat exchanger. This is the part that transfers the heat to water. Because it touches the water, it can develop a layer of scale over time. This scale unfortunately acts like a barrier, making it harder for the heat to transfer from the exchanger or element to the water.
As a result, the water heater has to work even more to get the water to reach the right temperature. Your water heater’s life span shortens considerably when this happens. However, if you can catch the scale buildup early and get rid of it, you can prolong the life of your water heater. One option is to have your water heater inspected yearly so a plumber can spot the problem before it becomes too severe to fix. As part of the inspection, you’ll want to have the plumber flush the water heater. That helps get rid of some of the scale along with sediment that can settle at the bottom of the appliance.
Buildup Also Clogs Lines
Scale will build up on any surface that water has touched, which means the insides of pipes and tubes are also at risk. If too much scale covers the interior surface of a pipe, it can clog the pipe, blocking water flow. Even if the clog is only partial, that will affect how much water reaches a faucet. This can be particularly difficult to deal with if the pipe is buried away. If you’re in a part of the region that has hard water, you’ll really want to talk to a plumber about installing a water softener.
Sediment and Buildup Promote Corrosion
One of the solutions for scale buildup is to flush the water heater to remove sediment. This sediment is another side effect of having hard water. Not only does the scale build up on the element or exchanger, but it also builds up on the inside of the tank or heater body (if you have a tankless model). Some of that scale can settle as sediment at the bottom of the water heater.
Both the scale on the sides of the water heater and the sediment at the bottom can actually make the metal corrode over time. It’s essential that you have the water heater flushed periodically, either by a plumber or as a DIY project. If you’re not used to dealing with water heaters, though, it’s better to let the plumber do it as part of the yearly maintenance. If you neglect to flush the water heater, the appliance could fail as rust eats its way through the metal.
If you haven’t had your water heater looked at in a while, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for prompt service. We offer a full range of plumbing services including water heater repair and installation, as well as water softeners. Don’t let hard water destroy your water heater and ability to get hot water. Call us now to arrange for an inspection.
