Since your water heater is full of water, you might assume it can take care of cleaning itself. That’s not the case, though. It’s quite common for a water heater to fill up with debris. Minerals in your water can leave behind sediment in the tank of the water heater.
To get rid of these deposits, you’ll need to drain the tank and run clear water through it until all of the sediment is gone. This process, known as flushing the water heater, is best left to the professionals. Learning about the signs that call for draining and flushing will help you schedule your water heater maintenance right on time.
1. Loud Noises From Your Water Heater
Ideally, your water heater operates quietly. You might not even notice it’s at work. When your water is ready for a flushing session, though, it may start getting louder.
This happens because the mineral sediments form a layer near the bottom of your water heater. Hot water can get trapped underneath it. The water boils and turns to steam. The steam works its way up toward the top of the tank. As it tries to move past the sediment deposits, loud noises can occur. You might notice pops, clanks or bangs coming from your water heater. You are especially likely to hear these sounds right after running water.
The noises can aggravate, but their nuisance isn’t the only reason to address this problem. They could also be a sign that trouble is brewing within your appliance.
When the heated water becomes trapped beneath a layer of sediment, hot spots can form in the tank. These hot spots can cause damage to the tank liner. Over time, you might end up with small holes or cracks in your appliance. Cracks and holes can be a safety hazard, so you might need to replace your water heater if tank damage develops.
Instead of letting things get to that point, drain and flush your water heater as soon as it starts running loudly.
2. Discolored Water
Your water should run clear. If yours becomes discolored, then you have a plumbing problem on your hands. It may be an issue with your water heater.
Sometimes, discolored water has a definite rust color to it. Other times, it may simply look cloudier or murkier than normal. In either case, the issue could be due to your water heater. The discoloration may be related to the mineral deposits in your tank. Debris from this sediment could be flowing through your faucets along with the water. If that’s the case, flushing the water heater may solve the problem.
It’s also possible, though, that there’s something more serious going on. There may be rust developing somewhere in your system. If it’s the anode rod, replacing that part should resolve your issue. But if the rust is on the tank walls, it will probably be time for a new water heater.
The first step, though, is to call a Richmond plumber from Davis & Green to drain and flush your water heater. Our professional will then be able to determine whether that procedure will be enough to fix your water issue. If not, the plumber will suggest potential next steps that you can take.
3. Problems With Your Water Supply
When your water heater is ready for a flush, you may experience issues with your water supply.
For one thing, a heavy buildup of mineral deposits can take up a lot of space in your hot water tank. That will leave less space for hot water that’s ready and waiting for your family. After just one or two showers, the supply may be gone. Everyone else must take a cold shower or wait for the supply to refresh. If you’re tired of constantly running out of hot water, then you’ll appreciate the difference that a maintenance appointment can make.
Another potential supply problem has to do with your water pressure. Sediment buildup can block water lines. When you turn on the tap, only a limited amount of water can flow through the pipes. To test this, run the hot water tap. Then, turn it off and try the cold tap. If the pressure gets stronger when you switch to cold water, then there’s a good chance that your water heater is to blame. Draining and flushing the tank may restore equal pressure to both your hot and cold taps.
4. Increase in Your Utility Bills
A water heater that’s due for maintenance can cost you money. Choosing to drain the unit could spare your pocketbook from excessively high bills.
Mineral deposits reduce the efficiency of your water heater. When the tank is full of debris, the water isn’t the only thing that heats up. The unit ends up heating the sediment, too. That takes extra energy. Since buildup leaves less room for water, you may spend more money to heat less water than normal.
Plus, heating might take longer than it would in a clean tank. That’s because mineral deposits may cake onto the heating element, which can keep it from working at its full capacity. The harder your appliance has to work to achieve hot water, the more money it will cost you to run it.
Keep in mind, also, that letting mineral deposits go unchecked can cause cracks or holes to form in your tank. You might have a small leak, which could increase your water bill. While flushing the unit won’t solve that problem, it may clue your plumber in on the larger issue at play.
So whether your power bill or your water bill is creeping higher, pay attention to the message and call a pro.
5. A Year Since Your Last Water Heater Flush
You don’t need to wait for problems to develop before you schedule a maintenance call for your water heater. It’s best not to do that. Rather, you should put water heater maintenance on a regular schedule.
Most experts recommend flushing your water heater at least once a year. You may want to select a specific month for doing this job each year. Booking your next appointment will help you stay on schedule with the task.
If you live in an area with extremely hard water, once a year may not be enough for this job. Instead, you might benefit from scheduling a maintenance appointment with your plumber every four to six months. Talk to your plumbing team about the best plan for flushing the water heaters in your area.
Davis & Green has decades of experience in flushing Richmond water heaters. Our plumbers also handle tasks like drain cleaning and pipe repair. In addition, our team specializes in heating and cooling repair, installation, and maintenance. You can even count on us for your residential or commercial electrical projects. Visit our website or call today to make an appointment with Davis & Green in Richmond.
