Do you have significant levels of calcium in your water? Do you want to know how to remove calcium from a water heater?
As the best plumber in Dallas, Dial One Johnson Plumbing provides tips for calcium deposit removal below. You should also know the challenges calcium presents to your water heater so you can take the issue seriously.
What Causes Calcium Buildup in Dallas?
Most homes have calcium in their water unless they have a hard water treatment system like a water softener. When you heat the water, it releases the mineral and forms limescale. This forms a hard layer of sediment in your water heater, hindering its function.
The Problems With Calcium in Your Dallas Water Heater
What difficulty does calcium pose for water heating?
Higher Energy Bills
If you need limescale removal, you’ll see your energy bills rise. As sediment builds up in your water heater, the device requires more fuel to obtain the same results. Whether you have an electric or gas fuel source, you’ll see your energy costs increase.
Excessive Noise
When you need water heater cleaning, you’ll hear popping or crackling sounds. You may think these sounds simply create an annoyance, but the truth is that they indicate you need the services of a qualified plumber.
Less Hot Water
Do you notice your hot water running out more quickly than usual? Lack of hot water remains one of the most common and obvious signs you have calcium buildup in your water heater.
Water Heater Damage
If sediment buildup in your water heater continues for too long, it can erode the device. This can cause a leak or, even worse, require you to spend significant money on replacing it early.
Tips for Dallas Residents About Removing Water Heater Calcium Buildup
If you want to remove calcium from a water heater, you should hire a professional. Descaling a water heater can seem like an easy task, but to ensure you don’t cause more damage, you should consider hiring a professional as a smart investment.
Install a Water Softener
Without a water softener, you’ll descale your water heater once or twice a year. The best way to deal with calcium buildup is to prevent it in the first place.
A water softener can’t completely eliminate sediment buildup, but you’ll end up cleaning and draining your heater with only a fraction of the frequency. A water softener also helps protect your other appliances, shower, and sinks. Finally, soft water is great for your skin and helps reduce itchiness, dryness, and other skin conditions.
Reduce Temperature
One excellent way of slowing calcium buildup is to set your water heater to 120 degrees. The hotter the temperature, the faster the buildup.
Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance often includes the plumber draining your water heater. It can also detect other problems before they become serious. Schedule maintenance at least once a year.
Drain and Descale
If you experience calcium buildup, the best method for dealing with it is cleaning and draining the water heater. A plumber uses the following steps for this process:
- Turn off the power supply to keep it safe. Many homeowners feel safest shutting off the power supply at the circuit breaker.
- The plumber will connect a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater and put the other end in a bucket or other drainage source. They’ll drain the water heater tank completely.
- Open the access panels, locate the areas where calcium has built up, and scrub them gently with a brush. The plumber may use vinegar and water to eliminate the more stubborn deposits.
- The plumber will fill the tank with a two-to-one ratio of vinegar and water. Completely submerging the calcium deposits loosens them even more.
- Depending on the severity of the problem, the plumber will let the vinegar sit for a few hours or even overnight. Then, the plumber drains the tank again.
- The plumber reassembles and fills the tank before confirming it works better than before.
Count on Dial One Johnson Plumbing To Service Your Dallas Water Heater
Now that you know how to remove calcium from a water heater, you can realize the importance of regular water heater maintenance and schedule a cleaning and draining once you notice the signs of a buildup. From fixing water heater leakage to installing a new device, the team at Dial One Johnson Plumbing always does superior work.
Call Dial One Johnson Plumbing today at 972-291-0740 to discuss your options and schedule service.