Water Heater Sediment, What Is It And What Should You Do About It?

For the most part, your water heater clicks on and off with very little interference from you or anyone else. It heats the water according to your settings, and you may only ever think about it when it stops working or you arrange for annual maintenance to take place. You can click this link to read more about the services available for your water heater.

Because the problems start if you don’t care for your water heater, it will eventually stop working.

What Is Water Heater Sediment?

Anything in water that is not water can be considered debris or potential sediment. Some chemicals stay in the water right through to your drinking glass; unless you have a water filter fitted.

Any material that settles while the water is sitting n your tank can be called sediment. Sediments come from the chemicals added to water and their reaction to other substances. It can also include debris from the inside of the pipes and even rust where the air has been trapped in the system.

The Problem With Sediment

In general, the sediment sits at the bottom of your tank; it does not get sucked through into your drinking water as it sits below the exit pipes.

However, sediment can encourage rust build up in your tank and prevent your heating element from working effectively.

The result is the cost of running your water heater goes up while the life span of the heater goes down.

It is difficult to see how much sediment you have in your tank; it may be very little or a lot!

If it does get into your pipes, you’ll start to hear popping and other unusual noises.

The Solution To Water Heater Sediment

The easiest solution and the most cost-effective is to flush your water heater periodically.

This is something that should be done at least once a year you can get a professional firm to do this for you, or you can do it yourself.

Flushing your water heater can be completed in a few simple steps:

• Turn off the water heater to allow the water too cold.

• Shut the water supply valves off to your heater.

• Open the faucet and the pressure relief valve on your tank; this will allow air to speed up the process.

• Attach a hose to the siphon point on the bottom of the tank. Put the other end in the bath or outside.

• Open the bottom spigot for the siphon point.

• Watch the water coming out; it will become clear after a while.

• Allow extra water into the tank by opening the supply valve.

• Check the water coming out is still clear.

• When it is turn off the spigot for the siphon and disconnect the hose.

• Allow the tank to refill before closing the pressure relief valve; this will help to make sure the air has left the tank.

• Turn the tank back on and pat yourself on the back.