Your Water Heater and Hard Water
A shockingly high 80% of Americans receive hard water in their homes. Since the majority of us get hard water, we start to see the effects in plumbing fixtures and appliances, including water heaters. Learn more about hard water and how it affects your water heater.
What Is Hard Water?
Hard water refers to water with a high mineral content. While all water contains some minerals, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium, some water contains more minerals than others.
Water receives a hardness rating based on the concentration of hardness minerals in the water measured in milliliters per liter (mg/L). There are
four hardness ratings
according to the Water Quality Association:
- Soft - 0 - 60 mg/L
- Moderately hard - 60 - 120 mg/L
- Hard - 120 - 180 mg/L
- Very hard - 180+ mg/L
Some of the most common minerals found in water include calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, zinc, and potassium. Ratings are based on the total of all the different minerals in the water.
Do I Have Hard Water?
You can test for water hardness yourself with a
home hard water test kit.
However, you may not always need the test to know you have hard water.
Signs of hard tap water include:
- Hard water scale on plumbing fixture(s)
- Soap scum on dishes
- Stiff laundry
- Low efficiency appliances
If you notice these signs, it’s time to consider water filtration and maintenance that will protect your appliances.
How Hard Water Impacts Your Hot Water Heater
Water evaporates when it gets hot. When the water gets hot, the water molecules move faster and faster until they turn into a gas. The gas escapes out of the water heater, but the minerals remain inside of the water heater. Over time, the mineral buildup accumulates.
Mineral deposits inside of your water heater grow until they impact the components inside your water heater. For example, sediment buildup can cause a temperature sensor to misread the temperature of the water, causing the water heater to heat it to an unsafe level. The mineral deposits can also cause an important component, such as a
heating element, to deteriorate and require replacement. Sediment build-up may also cause your water heater to make
popping noises and the continuous heating and cooling of the sediment can result in weak spots, eventually responsible for leaks in the tank.
Sediment popping as water heats up
The mineral deposits also get into the home’s drinking water, impacting the water quality. While not toxic, many households prefer the taste of soft water. Some people may mistake rust or lead for hard water minerals. Although hard water is not believed to present a health hazard, cadmium and lead may be generated during the corrosion process; exposure to or consumption of large concentrations of these elements can lead to heavy metal poisoning.
Finally, the hard water minerals can accumulate to the point that they create blockage in pipes throughout your plumbing system, impacting water flow to the different fixtures in your home. As the clog develops, it can lead to a serious plumbing problem that requires drain cleaning.
Hard water problems affect all types of water heaters, including traditional tank type water heaters, heat pump water heaters, and also tankless water heaters. Keep in mind that your water heater isn’t the only appliance affected by hard water. Your washing machine, dishwasher, and air conditioning unit will likely experience similar issues.
The Effects of Hard Water on Electric Water Heaters
How to Protect Your Water Heater in Hard Water Conditions
Your water heater requires regular preventative maintenance whether your home has hard water or not. If you do have a hard water problem, you simply have to perform preventative maintenance more often.
Preventative maintenance
refers to cleaning the inside of the water heater, a process known as “flushing” the water heater. Generally speaking, manufacturers recommend flushing your water heater once a year. If you have hard water, you may want to flush the water heater twice a year.
Flushing a Tank Type Water Heater
In the case of storage tank water heaters, flushing the water heater involves draining the tank then continuing to fill it and drain it again to flush the sediment buildup from inside the tank. One of the most common ways to flush a tank type water heater includes mixing distilled white vinegar and water, as this combination can loosen sediment and poses a lower risk to your tank’s infrastructure than other cleaners; be sure to refer to your water heater’s installation manual for best preventative maintenance practices.
Flushing a Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters produce water on demand, meaning there’s no tank. In order to flush the inside of the unit, maintenance techs use a tankless water heater flush kit that includes a ā
hp submersive water pump and descaling solution. Most kits also include a bucket and hoses, too. The pump circulates water through the inside of the unit, while the solution works to dissolve the material inside of the tank, enhancing the results
How Hard Water Affects Water Heaters FAQs
U.S. Water Heating Solutions
U.S. Water Heating Solutions offers preventative maintenance programs for both residential and
commercial water heaters. If you haven’t been flushing your water heater regularly, we also offer water heater repair.
Contact U.S. Water Heating Solutions
today to schedule your appointment!
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