Although it may seem simple to fix little things around your house, the fact of the matter is that there are a few professionals who really do work hard to make your life better. For instance, while you may be likely to paint your place on your own, even doing something as simple as switching out a toilet can be really challenging. I started thinking about how valuable professionals like plumbers were for my business, and I wanted to start a new blog that centered around how much a plumber can help to make your life better. Check out this website for tips on finding a talented plumber.
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Hard water can destroy your hot water heater. The minerals in hard water build up inside the tank, as well as in the inlet and outlet valves. This can reduce the storage capacity of the tank and its ability to heat water. Over time, the buildup can cause major operational issues and require the premature replacement of your heater. The following guide can help you prevent these problems from occurring.
Lower the temperature
The hotter the water, the more mineralization that will occur as the minerals precipitate out of the hot water. These minerals will coat the interior of the tank, as well as the heating elements. By lowering the temperature, you can slow this process. As a general rule, do not lower the tank to a setting less than 120 F, as this is the minimum recommended temperature to avoid bacterial growth in the water.
Replace the anode rods
The anode rod in the hot water tank attracts minerals and corrosive materials in the water so that they build up on the rod and not on the tank or elements. Most heaters come equipped with at least one rod, and you can have a technician install additional rods. These rods do have a shorter lifespan than the hot water heater, particularly if you have very hard water in your area. You can have the rods replaced every few years to ensure they continue to work properly so your tank doesn't suffer damage.
Flush annually
Scheduling an annual hot water heater flushing will do a lot to stop problems with hard water. When the heater is flushed, all of the current water is drained out of the tank. Then, clean water is forced through the tank, valves, and fittings so any hard water residue is forced out. Valves or water lines with severe buildup may be replaced at this time, along with the anode rods mentioned above. This task is generally done every few years, but once a year may be a better option in areas with hard water so that too much mineral residue is not allowed to buildup.
Get a water softener
Finally, you can have a water softener installed on your hot water heater. This will remove the minerals before the water enter the hot water tank, thus eliminating most hard water issues. This is a good option to choose if you are already planning to replace the heater, since both installations can be done at the same time, which may save you labor costs.
For more help, contact a plumbing service in your area for water heater repair.
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