Water hardness refers to the amount of minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium, in your water. When water is still, evaporates, or is heated, those minerals can leave behind limescale deposits. The approach you need to take depends on how hard your water is. One way to measure hardness is milligrams per liter (mg/L). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies water with 60 mg/L or less as soft. Above 60 mg/L, the EPA classifies water as moderately hard, hard, and very hard.
Anode Rod
Tank water heaters have a part known as a sacrificial anode rod. Its job is to attract corrosion, minerals, and sediment. An anode rod does this through the process of electrolysis. All anode rods will eventually fail and need to be replaced. The typical timeframe is between three to five years. Hard or hard water accelerates how quickly a rod will fail.
Water Heater Tank
The tank becoming compromised over time is a common way conventional water heaters fail. Scale accumulation exacerbates this issue. That’s because limescale deposits can harbor bacteria that eat away at the inner tank wall. This is referred to as limescale corrosion, and left unchecked, it can shorten expected water heater life by as much as 50%.
Water Heater Components
Limescale can also coat and gunk up a wide range of components. It can cause clogs in tubes, pipes, and valves, which can lower your hot water pressure. Scale can also coat parts like heating elements and heat exchangers. That scale acts like an insulator, which decreases energy efficiency and increases your operating costs. It can also cause those components to fail sooner than they otherwise would.
Schedule Routine Water Heater Maintenance
Homeowners should schedule water heater maintenance at least annually. If you have a tank system, your plumber can flush the tank, check the rod, and replace the rod as needed. Flushing will remove scale and sediment. If you have a tankless water heater, your plumber will descale it instead using vinegar and water or, if necessary, a chemical cleaner.
Water Treatment
The best way to protect against hard water is with a dedicated water treatment system. Anti-scale devices are local solutions for water heaters and other water-using appliances. They chemically change the calcium and magnesium to prevent it from becoming scale.
Another solution is to install a whole-house water softener. These systems remove the calcium and magnesium from the water before it enters the home. This approach not only protects your water heater but also your home’s plumbing. That includes your dishwasher, washing machine, and kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
Don’t let hard water ruin your water heater’s efficiency and shorten its life span. Contact Turbo Plumbing & Rooter today to schedule water treatment services or water heater maintenance anywhere in or near Granada Hills, CA.
