If you’ve ever run your hot water and found what feels like small pieces of grit in the water, you aren’t losing your mind, nor is your water heater contaminated; it is most likely sediment from the bottom of your hot water heater. Sediment build-up in your hot water heater isn’t an indication that your water is dirty, but it is an indication that it’s time for a maintenance appointment. The experts at Bartels Heating & Cooling can perform thorough maintenance on your home’s hot water heater and remove any and all sediment at the bottom of the tank during the process. All we need is a call from you and our pros will get your water heater back into optimal shape.
How Did the Sediment Get There?
The main cause of sediment build-up is due to mineralization in the water. As such, sediment build-up can depend largely on where you live, although technically, sediment build-up can occur anywhere. Homes with treated water tend to have less problems with sediment than homes that use well water, but the reason for sediment build-up is still the same: calcium carbonate has leached from the minerals, in part due to the higher water temperature, and settled to the bottom of your tank.
Problems Caused by Sediment
While sediment isn’t dangerous and doesn’t make your water undrinkable, it can have adverse effects on your home’s hot water heater. One thing excess sediment can do is displace the cold water in your tank, causing it to mix with the hot water at the top and reduce the amount of hot water you have. Another problem that can develop with excess sediment is that gas burners won’t be able to properly heat the water because the sediment layer acts as insulation and blocks the heat. Sediment can block valves and if it gets into circulating valves, it can cause the valve to break.
Your hot water heater is flushed during an annual maintenance appointment, so any sediment in the tank is removed and cleaned out. If it’s been more than 12 months since your last hot water maintenance appointment, or you are seeing signs that you may have excessive sediment, call us today and schedule a maintenance appointment for your hot water heater in Hamilton, OH.