Water Heater Maintenance

Plumbers receive calls from their clients concerning white particles that are in their water, sometimes clogging plumbing fixtures. Here are a couple of potential causes:

Calcium carbonate scale is probably coming from your water heater. Mineral scaling may be worsened because the water heater thermostat is too high. Most plumbers recommend setting it at about 120°F.  If the particles are calcium carbonate, you probably need to flush your water heater.  Most manufacturers recommend that you do this twice per year.

They may be pieces of plastic from the dip tube in your water heater. The dip tube takes the cold water from the supply at the top of the tank down to the bottom of the tank to be heated. Some dip tubes were made of inferior plastic. The staff at the lab can help you determine whether it is scale or plastic.

Tips for flushing your water heater:

1. Turn off the power or gas to the heater.
2. Close the cold water supply valve.  It’s usually located at the top of the unit.
3. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve located near the bottom of the tank.  Run the hose somewhere that you can drain the water (it may be hot at first).
4. Open the drain valve to discharge the water inside the tank.  It will probably have some particles in it.
5. After the tank is empty, close the drain valve and open the cold water supply valve.  Turn on the power or gas.

Homeowners or a licensed plumber should periodically inspect their hot water heater to keep it operating at top efficiency. Proper maintenance will prolong the life of the tank and also help prevent scale build up. Check your manufacturer’s instruction guide and view Youtube videos to ensure proper maintenance scheduling.

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