3 Signs You Should Have Your Water Heater Descaled

Water heaters require regular maintenance to provide your home with consistent hot water for your showers, sinks and appliances. Over time, hard water deposits like calcium and lime can build up and cause considerable damage to your hot water tank. Here are three signs it’s time to get your water heater descaled.

• Your water heater is making strange noises. You may begin to hear strange noises as limescale builds up on the bottom of your water tank. For instance, you may hear rumbling and groaning sounds as water tries to flow through caked-up pipes. Additionally, scaley deposits at the bottom of your tank can trap air, making a popping noise when the tank gets heated. If you hear these kinds of noises from your water heater, don’t ignore them.
• Your energy bills have increased. The more sediment and deposits caked onto the elements in your tank, the harder your heater has to work to warm up the water to an adequate temperature. This means your heater will use more energy, causing your utility bills to rise. If your bills are higher, but your usage has stayed the same, your water heater may be working harder than it should.
• You can’t get enough hot water. If your water heater struggles to get the water to an adequate temperature, you may run out of hot water more quickly than usual. Moreover, the water in your shower may not be as hot as it used to be. Consistently cool water is another sign you need to descale your water heater.

How often should you descale your water heater? How often you should descale your water heater depends on the hardness of your water and how much water you use. Heaters that are used frequently with mineral-rich water should be descaled annually by a professional. If you live in an area with soft water, have a water softener or don’t use much hot water, a bi-annual descaling will do. Do tankless water heaters need descaling? Even though they don’t hold large amounts of hot water, tankless water heaters also need regular maintenance and descaling. Limescale can cling to the unit’s elements, causing it to work harder and less efficiently. Failing to descale your heater can significantly shorten its lifespan. Water heater maintenance and repair in the GTA At Black Forest Plumbing, we offer installation, repair and maintenance services for all types of water heaters. Contact us today to learn more about how our knowledgeable technicians can help keep your appliances running smoothly for years to come.