Sediment Buildup: The #1 Reason Water Heaters Lose Efficiency

Routine maintenance can slow that process, and timely water heater repair is essential. That requires you to inspect the tank, check the heating components, flush sediment when appropriate, and replace worn parts before a minor efficiency problem turns into a major failure.

If you need a licensed plumber to investigate, then consider the uniformed pros at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. We are established and insured so you can rest assured with our limited workmanship guarantees.

What Is Sediment Buildup?

Every drop of water entering a home carries dissolved minerals (like calcium and magnesium). They remain suspended in the water under normal flow conditions… Inside a water heater tank, however, those minerals behave differently.

As the heating element raises the water temperature, the dissolved minerals lose their ability to stay suspended and drop out of the water as solid particles. Those particles sink to the bottom of the tank and begin to build up.

The process is gradual and invisible. You won’t hear an alarm sound or see warning lights activate. The water heater simply keeps running, but less efficiently, under greater strain, and for a shorter total lifespan.

In areas with hard water, the accumulation happens faster. West Texas, Southern California, and much of the Southwest are troublesome in this regard.

How Sediment Destroys Efficiency

The heating element in a tank water heater typically sits at the bottom of the unit. This is deliberate, because it heats the full column of water above it. The drawback is that sediment settles directly on and around that element. This creates an insulating layer between the heat source and the water above it.

That insulating layer forces the heating element to work significantly harder to transfer the same amount of heat to the water. The element runs longer to reach the target temperature, and it cycles on more frequently to maintain that temperature.

As it turns out, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that sediment buildup can reduce water heater efficiency by up to 30 percent in significantly affected units. That efficiency loss translates directly into higher utility costs every single month.

Noticing higher energy bills without a clear explanation? Have a Mr. Rooter plumber in Bee Ridge, FL inspect the water heater and determine whether sediment buildup is driving the increase. Our live representatives are ready to take your call or message today.

The Damage Goes Beyond Efficiency

Reduced efficiency is a financial consequence of sediment buildup, but the structural consequences are more serious and more expensive to address.

The heating element working continuously under a sediment layer generates temperatures higher than the unit was designed to sustain, for example. That excess heat stresses the glass or porcelain coating that protects the steel tank wall from the water inside it.

As the lining degrades under thermal stress, the steel beneath it becomes vulnerable to rust and corrosion. A tank that develops internal corrosion starts losing structural integrity from the inside out… eventually, you’re looking for water heater repair.

If you’re hearing that distinctive rumbling or popping sound from an aging water heater, then it’s time to contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing for an inspection. Our plumber can come out prepared to flush the tank, replace element(s), and/or handle most common repairs the first time around.

Call Now For Urgent Assistance

An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure, but a stitch in time saves nine. If you need emergency plumbing repair service, then contact Mr. Rooter to get in touch with a live representative today.

Our plumber team is on standby to deliver water heater repair at any time of the day – or night. Call or message Mr. Rooter to request an urgent dispatch today.