How to Dissolve Sediment in Your Water Heater

Is your hot water flow slowing to a trickle? Do you hear strange gurgling noises from your water heater? Excess sediment buildup could be to blame. Over time, mineral deposits accumulate in the bottom of your tank, decreasing efficiency and potentially shortening your appliance's lifespan.

The good news? You can take steps to dissolve sediment in your water heater and restore performance. With some simple maintenance, including regularly flushing your tank, you can prevent major sediment accumulation.

Why Sediment Buildup Occurs in Water Heaters

To understand how to tackle sediment, it helps to first cover what causes it to form. While water heaters may seem straightforward, they have several intricate components working in tandem to heat and store hot water.

Overview of Water Heater Operation

At its core, a water heater consists of an insulated storage tank, usually between 20 and 80 gallons in households. Cold water enters the bottom of the tank. A gas burner or electric heating elements then warm the water, which rises and fills the tank.

The now hot water sits in the tank, ready for use upon demand. Thermostats control the temperature, while valves and pipes deliver hot water to faucets and back again. Finally, an anode rod in the tank combats corrosion through a process called sacrificial protection.

The Role of Minerals in Sediment

Even with clean incoming water, sediment eventually accumulates from natural mineral deposits. Hard water areas contain more dissolved calcium and magnesium than soft water regions. Over months to years, these minerals solidify into sediment coating the tank bottom.

Additionally, the anode rod slowly corrodes to protect the tank itself from rusting. Bits of metal can flake off, mixing with mineral sediment. So resolving your sediment problem extends your water heater's lifespan too.

Signs You Have Excess Sediment Buildup

How do you know you have problematic sediment levels? Look for these common warning signs of buildup:

Decreased Efficiency Symptoms

• Reduced hot water flow
• Longer wait times for water to reheat
• Higher electricity or gas usage

As sediment accumulates, it coats heating elements and tank walls, acting as an insulator that slows heat transfer. So you'll experience decreasing output and efficiency over time.

Other Warning Signs

• Discolored or smelly hot water
• Loud noises like rumbling or hissing
• Small leaks around pipes or fittings

Sediments may contain iron and sulfur compounds that corrode plumbing, while tank corrosion creates debris that can clog pipes. Catching buildup early maximizes effectiveness of dissolving methods before major repairs become necessary.

Step-by-Step Guide to Flush Sediment

Fortunately, most storage tank water heaters are relatively easy for homeowners to maintain. With some simple preparation and care, you can flush loose sediment in under an hour.

Safety First - Turn Off Power and Water Supply

Before doing any work, disengage power sources to your unit:

• Electric heaters: Turn off the circuit breaker
• Gas systems: Rotate the gas valve clockwise to "Off"

You'll also want to shut off the cold water inlet valve feeding the tank. This prevents new water from entering and mixing with sediments during draining.

Drain and Rinse the Tank Thoroughly

With power and water stopped, carefully connect a garden hose to the tank's drain valve near the bottom:

• Place the hose end in a bucket or direct it outside
• Open nearby hot water faucets to facilitate draining
• Open the drain valve completely to empty the tank contents

Initially, very hot and discolored water containing loose sediment flushes out. Let the tank fully empty. Attach additional hoses if needed to route the discharge safely away.

After draining, close the hot taps and reopen the cold inlet valve briefly. This rinses any clinging sediment particles down the hose. Repeat as needed for stubborn deposits. Inspect any debris flushed out to judge sediment levels.

Inspect Element and Anode Rod During Flush

While performing this maintenance, examine the heating elements and anode rod:

• Check for excessive corrosion and mineral buildup
• Test heating element resistance with a multi-meter
• Replace components if worn out or failing

Doing so maximizes water heater performance and may prevent future issues. Note any concerning symptoms too, like pitting or odd smells from the hot water.

Return System to Normal Operation

Once confident you have rinsed all debris from the tank, wrap up by:

• Closing the drain valve and reopening supply valves
• Restoring power on electric units
• Purging air by opening hot water taps until a steady stream flows

Check that water temperature and pressure return to expected levels before resuming normal use. Finally, schedule a routine flush every six months to a year to stay ahead of sediment accumulation.

Preventative Measures to Reduce Sediment

While a good flush removes existing tank deposits, additional steps minimize buildup long-term. Here are proactive ways to reduce sediment:

Install a Water Softener

In hard water regions, minerals rapidly turn into scale. Water softeners remove calcium, magnesium and other ions before they reach your heater:

• Softeners exchange hardness ions for sodium or potassium
• Fewer minerals to solidify means less future sediment
• Use a sediment prefilter to catch any particles

While softeners involve some extra cost, they reliably reduce sediment accumulation for water heaters and appliances.

Use a Powered Anode Rod

Special anode rods with electrical currents dramatically slow corrosion:

• Powered cathodic protection limits tank decay
• Less metal flaking cuts debris sediments
• Often last 5-10 years instead of 2-3 years

The initial investment pays dividends down the road with a longer lasting, efficient system.

Flush Annually

Make preventative flushing an annual ritual, even if you install softeners or cathodic protection.

• Mark your calendar to flush the tank yearly
• Adjust frequency by water hardness if needed
• Extends system lifespan at minimal effort

Think of it as giving your hot water heater a periodic checkup. An hour or two annually saves hundreds in repairs and replacements.

When to Call a Professional

In some situations, expert help proves necessary to deal with sediments or related issues:

Issues Flushing on Your Own

• Can't fully drain the tank
• Leaking valves, fittings or pipes
• Other malfunctions or uncertainties

For major repairs beyond flushing, don't take risks if unfamiliar with water heaters. Hire a qualified plumber instead.

• Heating elements or thermostats
• Anode rods and fittings
• Specialized scale removal methods

While advanced tasks are possible DIY, professionals possess technical skills that come with experience. They also can source replacement parts built to tolerances and specifications.

Knowing when to bring in a pro also gets your heater back up and running reliably. They determine underlying causes, not just symptoms, for a complete sediment solution.

In summary, dissolving sediment deposits extends your hot water heater's lifespan and efficiency. Follow these best practices to minimize mineral buildup:

• Flush tanks annually to remove existing sediment
• Install water softening to limit scale deposits
• Replace standard anodes with powered anti-corrosion rods
• Monitor heater performance and call professionals when needed

Putting in this small effort over your water heater's years of service saves significantly overall. Take control of your sediment problems before lack of hot water leaves you in cold water!