Preventing Scale Buildup in a Water Heating Element
Scale buildup usually refers to the buildup of calcium deposits in your plumbing system from trace elements found in your water supply. Water heaters are especially prone to scale buildup, which can lead to rattling or humming sounds from your heater and a shortened lifespan for the unit.
When scale buildup gets real bad, you will have to replace the heating element and possibly its anode rod. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so here are some steps you can follow to avoid serious buildup in the first place:
- Install a water softener – if your area is known for its ‘hard water’ then installing a softener would reduce the amount of minerals that can contribute to buildup in the first place
- Flush out your tank – using just a hose and a bucket, you can shut off the heater and drain out the water from the drain cock, refill it by manually opening the water intake, drain it again, repeat a few times, effectively rinsing the tank’s insides
- Use vinegar – as an additional step to flushing out the tank, you could add a large helping of vinegar when refilling the tank and letting it sit for a few hours before rinsing it out
When it comes to water heaters, a lot more can go wrong than just scale buildup. But that’s why you have Waldman Plumbing! Call 781.780.3184 today to get the benefit of over 100 years of plumbing experience.