You rely on your Jacksonville, IL, area home’s storage water heater to maintain a steady supply of hot water for showering, hand washing, laundry, and other essential activities. According to the city of Jacksonville, the area’s water is naturally high in iron and manganese, which are two minerals that contribute to sediment buildup. Read on to learn about three types of water heater problems caused by sediment buildup.
Reduced Heating Efficiency
If sediment builds around the storage tank’s heating element, the water heater will have a difficult time heating the water. Instead, most of the heat will be transferred into the thick sediment. This reduction of efficiency could also translate into higher water heating costs. According to the Department of Energy, you should drain one quart of water from the storage tank each month to check for sediment deposits. If there’s a lot of sediment, you may need to drain the whole tank or arrange for professional water heater maintenance.
Lower Storage Capacity
When sediment continues to build in your water heater, it will displace the water. This means the storage tank won’t be able to maintain as much hot water. Your hot water could run out in the middle of a shower. If you have 10 gallons of sediment in a 40-gallon storage tank, you’ve lost 25% of the water heater’s capacity.
Higher Risk of Storage Tank Corrosion
Sediment buildup increases the risk of storage tank corrosion. The minerals that make up the sediment react with oxygen in the water. This can lead to corrosion of the fittings or valves. The storage tank itself could also corrode. If you see a puddle around the base of your water heater and the tank is more than 10 years old, consider professional installation services of a new water heater.
To learn more about sediment buildup and the types of water heater issues it may cause, take a look at HRI Plumbing’s professional installation services, or contact us today for additional information.
