Hard water isn’t terrible, but it’s a nuisance for most homeowners. It makes things harder to clean, it leaves certain pans with stains you can’t get out, and it can even affect the quality of your skin and hair. But these are just the visible signs of the hard water you have coming into your home. While slow, the impact that hard water can have on your water heater can wear it down faster and result in a costly replacement. Here are some ways you can protect your water heater from hard water damage so that this doesn’t become a reality for you.
Consider Installing a Whole-Home Water Softener
If hard water is the problem, the most obvious solution is to get rid of it by investing in a whole-home water softener. It’s a bit of an upfront investment, but it will have benefits that extend to your water heater and to nearly every other element of your day-to-day. There are alternatives if this isn’t possible, such as salt-free systems.
Get Your Heater Flushed Regularly
The more buildup that accumulates in your water heater, the more damage it’s going to do as it clangs around inside your unit. It also makes it much harder for your water heater to heat water, resulting in higher water bills. Instead of just letting debris build up because your hard water is constantly introducing limescale to the system, you should have a plumber come over to flush your water heater at least once a year. Staying on top of built-up sediment does wonders for water heater health.
Replace Your Anode Rod
Anode rods aren’t as functional when they’re trapped with a water tank that’s constantly being subjected to hard water. Does that mean you should go without an anode rod? Absolutely not. But instead of having a traditional anode rod, consider making the switch to a powered anode rod that is designed to keep working without degrading as fast as their non-powered counterparts.
Keep Your Temperature Lower
Keeping your temperature low might not sound like it would do much, but any temperature above 140 degrees Fahrenheit has a tendency to make scale formation happen faster. You can battle this by keeping it below this temperature. Anywhere from 120 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit will suffice.
Be Aware of How Your Type of Water Heater Affects Maintenance
A common water heater is going to benefit from the tips above. But if you have a tankless water heater, your strategies are going to look a bit different. Because these types of water heaters end up dealing with far more problems as a result of hard water damage, you’ll need more regular inspections, water filters, and a descaling schedule.
Hard water is not good for any part of your house. Whether you want to address your whole home or just your water heater, you can use these tips to make it happen. If you have concerns or require water heater services, contact Almighty Plumbing in Antioch, CA.
