Water Heater Maintenance: The Importance of Descaling Your Hot Water Tank

Your hot water heater is the power behind clean dishes, hot showers, and maybe even the source of heat in your home. But do you know what lurks at the bottom of your tank?

Every time your water heater warms up your water, the water leaves dissolved solids like lime behind, which creates limescale. The buildup of limescale and other sediments can take a toll on your appliance and cost you serious money over both the short-term and long-term.

To keep your water heater functional, you need a water heater maintenance plan that includes the removal of limescale at least once every two years.

Here’s what happens if you skip this essential part of water heater maintenance.

1. Your Water Heater Becomes Noisy

Do you hear that sound?

The noise your hot water heater makes is usually the first sign that you need to descale your tank. When a thick enough layer of limescale and sediment builds up, it can generate several types of sounds.

If the tank rumbles, then you’re hearing the sound of the water passing through the sediment and causing it to expand. As sediment grows, the sound grows louder.

Limescale can cause a popping noise. When loose sediment lies on the bottom of the tank, it can trap bubbles, which burst as the water heats.

A noisy hot water heater is a sign that you need to descale – or you might face damage to your appliance.

2. Your Water Heater Costs More

A deposit of sediment or built-up limescale can cost you in more ways than one.

First, your operational costs will skyrocket. When limescale takes over the bottom of the tank, it takes the water heater longer to run a cycle and you’ll spend more time waiting on hot water. You can tell your hot water heater needs maintenance if your electricity bill goes up, particularly outside of peak heating and cooling season.

Second, because your hot water heater has to work harder, you’ll see issues with the heating element. If your heating element goes, you’ll probably face additional expenses for repairs or even a replacement.

3. You Still Won’t Get Enough Hot Water

Your tank is noisy and your energy bills are high, but there’s one more problem you’ll face if you don’t descale. You won’t get enough hot water.

Limescale slows the heat transfer into the water tank, which will not only limit the amount of hot water you get but will also the temperature of that water.

If you don’t descale, you could not only pay more for your water but get less of it!

Water Heater Maintenance is Essential to Prevent Limescale

Any time your run your water heater, your tank collects the remanents of minerals and sediment that lurk in your water. While limescale and sediment build-up is normal, letting it grow could damage the capacity and lifespan of your water heater, therefore, descaling your hot water tank is vital to prolonging the life of your hot water tank.

Is your water heater making strange noises? Water heater maintenance is a core part of homeownership, and we can help you extend the life of your appliances. Get in touch to learn about descaling your hot water tank and our maintenances plans.