5 Signs Sediment Might Have Built Up Inside Your Water Heater
One of the most common problems with water heaters is a build-up of sediment. Water contains plenty of natural minerals and compounds that can get stuck inside your water heater. The resulting sediment will harden as it is heated and reheated, and this can cause plenty of problems, including burnt out electrical units and damage to the structure of the heater itself.
Here are just five signs you might have a build-up of sediment inside your water heater.
1. Rusty or Muddy Water
If you notice that the water coming out of your hot taps is slightly muddy or rusty looking, it's a sure sign that something could be wrong with the water heater. When sediment is allowed to develop, it can start to discolour the water in your heater. For a proper test, try running just the hot tap.
2. Strange Smelling Water
The high temperatures inside your water heater will prevent the growth of mould and mildew. However, you might still notice a slightly odd smell when you run the hot water if sediment happens to have built up inside. When a lot of sediment has been allowed to develop, you might notice a strange smell, particularly right when you open up the faucet.
3. Reduced Water Temperature
A lack of heat is always going to mean that something is wrong with your water heater, but a gradual reduction in overall heat is likely to be down to a build-up of sediment. That sediment will provide an additional insulating layer between water and heating elements, meaning that it will be a lot harder for your heater to supply you with properly warmed water. You may notice that the hottest setting no longer produces particularly hot water.
4. Loud Noises
Sediment prevents water running through a heater smoothly, and it can change in size as it contracts and expands under heat variations. As such, it's common for loud sounds to come from a water heater that has lots of sediment inside, particularly just after you've had a bath or shower and new water needs to be heated up.
5. Reduced Efficiency
Finally, any build-up of sediment is going to set your energy bills climbing. This will be a gradual change instead of a pronounced spike, but you should notice that your water heater becomes steadily less efficient. With that additional layer between heating element and water, it is going to have to work a lot harder, and that means consuming more energy.
For more information or assistance, contact a local plumber.
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