Hard Water and Your Water Heater
Short answer: hard water leaves scale and sediment in water heaters, which makes them noisy, less efficient and shorter-lived. Annual flushing and descaling help a lot.
Request a plumberWhat's in the water
Minerals like calcium and magnesium settle as scale when water is heated.
Noise
Popping and rumbling is water boiling under sediment.
Flushing
Draining a few gallons from the tank each year removes loose sediment.
Anode rods
The rod inside protects the tank; replacing it can extend tank life.
Tankless
Tankless units need regular descaling in hard water.
Softeners
A water softener reduces scale throughout the house.
Signs it's failing
Rusty water, leaks and short hot-water supply.
Labels
Find the age on the label; see reading your water heater label.
Temperature setting
Many plumbers suggest keeping the tank around 120 degrees; hotter settings speed up scale and raise scald risk.
Replacement timing
Planning a replacement before an old tank leaks avoids water damage in the garage or closet.
Hot garages
Tanks in hot garages also work in summer heat that ages seals and valves, so a yearly look at the relief valve and connections is worthwhile.
Next
See water heaters.
More plumbing guides
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