Water Heater Calcium Buildup

Calcium build up in hot water heater system is generally due to a mineral found in water called calcium carbonate.

Water heater calcium buildup.

The problem only gets worse and more expensive to fix as time goes by. One thing is for sure when you have calcium buildup on your water pipes you do not want to ignore it. The water heater is designed in a way that it cannot control the sediments on its own. Gallons of water pour through a water heater every day leaving mineral deposits behind.

The dip tube which is the inlet of the cold water is usually straight. Anode rods are usually found near the outlet pipes on the inside of the heating tank and are connected with a hex head screw. These three substances build up over time on surfaces that come into contact with water. Scale buildup consists of the minerals in your hard water and is typically composed of a mixture of calcium and magnesium.

As a result the unit has to work harder in order to heat the water to the set point temperature. Clr stands for calcium lime and rust. Flush your water heating element. Place a water hose to the drain valve and keep the rest of the hose away where hot water can safely exit.

A quality water softener removes ions from water that cause water hardness which includes calcium. As long as the anode in the system is working the metal of the rod wears away rather than the hot water heater lining. Calcium and your water heater like a faucet a water heater does experience calcium build up. You should check your water heater first to determine how much calcium deposits are in the heater or if it is just sediment.

Also if you live in an area of the country where hard water is just a fact of life you will have to clean your water pipes often or invest in a water softener system. When this mineral precipitates out it settles in the bottom of the tank. Cleaning your hot water heater can be tough but clr cleaner can make it easier. A water heater anode is used in most hot water tanks in order to prevent the corrosion of the tank s metal lining.

Of course like any water treatment equipment a water softener requires regular maintenance to ensure it runs. If your water heater is fairly new it s wise to begin regular flushing maintenance by draining 5 10 gallons of water from the heater once or twice a year. If it is an older heater that has rarely or never been flushed or you don t know don. Scale buildup looks like tiny white particles or even pieces of paper in your water heater and it can be hard or impossible to get rid of once it s there.

By removing the element from the water before it enters the water heater water softeners stop calcium buildup before it starts. Scale is a buildup of minerals inside of your hot water heater mostly calcium and magnesium which looks like white particles or pieces of paper in plumbing fixtures.