Did you look at your water heater and ask yourself why it looks worn out? This is an appliance that is supposed to last for years, and yet it may already be showing signs of a breakdown. One big reason behind early water heater problems is your water itself.
Below, this water heater replacement company in Northfield, Illinois is going to explain how local water quality affects your water heater.
When people hear the words “water quality,” they usually think about how their water tastes or smells. For your water heater, though, water quality goes much deeper than that.
Water quality includes all the small things mixed into your water that you never really see. This can be minerals and tiny bits of sediment. These elements move through your plumbing every day and your water heater must handle them every time it heats water.
Even water that is clean and safe for your family can be hard on a water heater. Heating water repeatedly causes minerals and particles to separate and settle. Little by little, those materials stay behind inside the unit where they can start causing problems. Over time, this buildup affects how well your water heater operates and how long it can keep running.
Hard water is very common in this area and it contains minerals like calcium and magnesium. You can’t see them when the water comes out of the tap. But once that water heats up, those minerals start to act differently.
As cold water warms in the water heater, the minerals separate from the water and sink to the bottom. They slowly collect at the bottom of the tank or stick to the heating parts. This buildup is thin and easy to miss at first, so everything looks fine.
The problem is that this process never really stops. Every shower, every load of laundry and every time you wash dishes adds another small layer. Over months and years, that layer forms a hard and chalky coating inside the tank.
Once minerals cover the inside of the water heater, heating water becomes more difficult. The heat gets trapped under the buildup instead of spreading through the water. The system must work longer just to do the same job. That overwork uses more energy and puts steady pressure on the tank and its parts. Eventually, that pressure cuts the water heater’s life short.
Hard water is not the only problem for your water heater. Some water contains fine sediment like sand or rust that settles at the bottom of the tank. As the water heats, it must push and bubble through that layer of sediment. This is usually what causes those popping or rumbling sounds.
Water chemistry can also be a factor. Certain chemical levels can accelerate corrosion in the tank, especially when protective parts like the anode rod start to wear out. Once corrosion starts, leaks are not far behind.
Your water heater replacement company in Northfield, Illinois will look for these signs during inspections. If they find any corrosion and heavy sediment, replacement may be the safest long-term option.
There are ways to reduce damage from poor water quality. Regular flushing helps remove sediment before it hardens. Water softeners reduce mineral buildup. Routine inspections catch corrosion early.
These steps don’t make a water heater last forever, but they can add years to its life. A good water heater replacement company in Northfield, Illinois can help you decide which options are best for your situation.
If your water heater is struggling, making noise, or not lasting as long as expected, John J. Cahill Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning can help. As the leading water heater replacement company in Northfield, Illinois, our team can diagnose the real cause and provide honest, long-term solutions. Contact us today to get started.