If you live in Gardner, KS, you likely have hard water. Hard water is water with high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium. Water quality experts measure water hardness on a scale called grains per gallon (GPG). Anything above 7 GPG is hard water. The water supply here in Gardner averages 10 GPG. Hard water can have a variety of adverse effects on your plumbing. It can be especially harmful to your water heater. Here’s why.
How Hard Water Affects Water Heaters
The trouble with hard water is that the dissolved minerals in it can end up as deposits in your plumbing. Inside your water heater, that process occurs much faster. It happens because hot water more readily releases dissolved minerals. That can lead to sediment buildup inside your water heater tank, resulting in the following effects that require prompt repair.
Reduced Efficiency
As sediment builds up in your water heater, it acts like an insulator. If the sediment covers one of your water heater’s heating elements, it will hinder heat transfer. That will force your water heater to use more energy to maintain its set temperature.
Shortened Lifespan
On average, a well-maintained water heater should last about 15 years. However, hard water can dramatically reduce your water heater’s lifespan. The added strain of more frequent heating cycles caused by hard water deposits can weaken the heater’s tank. When that happens, the odds of a premature failure increase. It’s important to know that you can’t repair a water heater tank. The only solution is to install a new water heater.
Reduced Storage Capacity
The more sediment and minerals build up in your water heater, the less room it has to store water. Over time, the sediment can build up to the point of displacing several gallons of water.
Signs of Hard Water Damage
Water heaters need more frequent maintenance in areas with hard water. If you’re unsure about your water heater’s maintenance history, it may already have damage from hard water. Since a water heater failure can cause some significant damage, it’s worth staying alert to potential signs of trouble.
If your water heater seems to run out of hot water faster than it used to, hard water could be the reason. Additionally, a water heater with hard water damage may emit cracking and popping sounds. That is often the sound of the hardened mineral scale in the tank cracking due to thermal fluctuations. You may also notice your energy bills creeping upwards as the internal water heater damage worsens.
How to Prevent Hard Water Damage
The best way to prevent hard water from damaging your water heater is to have it professionally maintained. That includes a yearly maintenance visit from a qualified plumber. During the visit, our plumber will drain and flush your water heater tank to remove sediment buildup. They’ll also inspect your water heater’s sacrificial anode, so you can have it replaced when necessary.
There are additional steps you can take to prevent hard water from damaging your water heater. One is to ensure your water heater remains set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. The lower your set temperature, the slower the water releases minerals into your tank. You can also have a whole-home water softener installed.
A water softening system substitutes sodium ions for mineral ions in your water supply. That can eliminate the threat hard water poses to your water heater. However, the added sodium in softened water can accelerate corrosion inside your water heater tank. So, if you decide to have a water softener installed, regular sacrificial anode inspections are even more critical. The anode is your water heater’s primary defense against tank corrosion.
Your Local Water Heater Specialists
Santa Fe Air Conditioning & Heating is the go-to destination for water heater services in Gardner. Our expert plumbers provide comprehensive water heater services, covering the entire lifecycle, from maintenance to repair and replacement.
We even offer a whole-home easy care plan that includes provisions for your water heater maintenance needs. Check out some of our customer reviews to learn more about the quality of our work. And if you believe your water heater has hard water damage, contact our experts at Santa Fe Air Conditioning & Heating today!
