How to Prevent Sediment Buildup in Your Water Heater

When was the last time you thought about your water heater, let alone gave it a flush? If you’re like many homeowners, you might have said never.

It’s easy to forget about your trusty water heater. But neglecting it can cause sediment buildup, which is hard on your system and can lead to higher energy bills, reduced hot water capacity, and even premature failure. Here’s how to prevent and remove sediment from your water heater.

Understanding Sediment: What It Is & What Causes It

Your water supply contains naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium. While neither is a health and safety hazard, they can wreak havoc on your plumbing system and water heater.

See, sediment separates from water and, over time, settles at the bottom of your hot water tank. This accumulated debris creates a barrier between the heating element and the water above it, which means reduced efficiency: the harder your water heater has to work, the higher your energy bills will be, and the more wear and tear your system takes.

Signs of Sediment Buildup

Your water heater is a good communicator. You just have to know what to look and listen for. Here are common signs of sediment buildup:

• Higher energy bills: Sudden gas bill spikes are a common sign of sediment buildup.
• Strange noises: If your water heater is talking back—that is, making popping or gurgling noises—it’s likely that you have sediment buildup.
• Reduced capacity: Suffering from a dwindling hot water supply? Often, sediment builds up in your tank, leaving less space for hot water.
• Rusty or discolored water: Brown, yellow, or rusty water is another common signal that sediment has corroded tank components.

How to Remove Sediment From Your Water Heater

Now that you know how to identify common signs of sediment buildup, how do you prevent it altogether?

Flush Your Tank

Flushing is the best way for water heater sediment removal. Here’s how to do it:

• If you have an electric heater, turn off the power at the panel. For gas units, turn the gas supply to “pilot”
• Shut off the water supply
• Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of your tank
• Open the drain valve
• For stubborn buildup, refill the tank and repeat
• Close the valve and restore power

Prevention Methods

Prevention is always the preferred method of avoiding an emergency call to the plumber or complete system replacement. Here’s what to do:

• Install a water softener if you live in a region with especially hard water
• Use sediment traps to capture hard minerals before they enter your tank
• Set the thermostat at 120 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce mineral precipitation
• Schedule annual maintenance with a plumbing professional to address water heater sediment cleaning
• Consider upgrading to a tankless water heater if you live in a hard water region. (this upgrade will significantly reduce sediment issues)

Your Sediment Problems End Where Our Expertise Begins

Whether you need routine maintenance or system replacement, Stephens can help! With nearly 40 years of experience, our family-owned business specializes in removing sediment from water heaters and is committed to delivering reliable and cost-efficient plumbing and HVAC services. Contact us today!