If your water heater gave out sooner than you expected, the water itself is a likely suspect. Much of Central Indiana, Hamilton County included, has hard water, and heating it is exactly what makes those minerals cause trouble. Here's what happens inside the heater and what you can do about it.
What heat does to hard water
Hard water carries dissolved calcium and magnesium. At cold-water temperatures most of it stays in solution. Heat it up and those minerals come out as solid scale and sediment, and the hotter the water, the faster that happens.
That's why the water heater takes the brunt of it. Your pipes and faucets see some buildup, but the heater is where the water gets hot every day, all year.
Inside a tank water heater
In a tank heater, loose sediment settles to the bottom and builds into a layer over the years. That layer causes a chain of problems.
Popping and rumbling. Water trapped under the sediment boils in little bursts. That noise is the most common early sign.
Wasted energy. On a gas heater, the burner has to push heat through the sediment, so it runs longer. On an electric heater, the lower element can get buried in scale and burn out.
Less hot water. Sediment takes up room in the tank, and scaled elements heat more slowly.
Stress on the tank. Hot spots under the sediment are hard on the tank lining, and the anode rod wears out faster. Once the steel tank starts to rust through, it can't be repaired.
Tankless heaters need care too
Tankless heaters don't collect a pile of sediment, but scale coats the inside of the heat exchanger. As it builds, you may see weaker hot water flow, temperature swings or error codes, and the unit has to work harder. In hard water, a tankless heater should be descaled regularly, typically once a year, and a softener ahead of it helps a lot. We install and service Navien tankless units and can set up a descaling routine for yours.
It isn't just the water heater
The same minerals wear on anything that heats or meters water:
Dishwashers and washing machines, where scale coats heating parts and clogs valves
Faucet cartridges, toilet fill valves and shower valves
Coffee makers, refrigerator ice makers and humidifiers
White crust on faucets and spots on glasses are the parts you can see. The buildup inside the heater is the part that costs you.
Flushing helps, softening protects
Draining and flushing a tank heater once a year clears out loose sediment and is worth doing. It won't remove hard scale, and it doesn't stop new minerals from coming in with the next tank of water. If an older tank hasn't been flushed in years, it may not drain well, so have a plumber look at it first.
A water softener stops the problem at the source by removing calcium and magnesium before the water reaches the heater. For most homes in Carmel, Fishers, Westfield and Noblesville, and for many homes on well water in the outlying areas, a softener is the best long-term protection for a new water heater. Our water softener and filtration page walks through the options.
Signs your heater is feeling it
Popping, rumbling or crackling as the heater runs
Hot water that runs out faster than it used to
Rusty or cloudy hot water, or grit in aerators
Water around the base of the tank
Error codes or temperature swings on a tankless unit
When to call us
If your heater is showing these signs, we'll check it and tell you honestly whether a repair or a flush makes sense or whether replacement is the better value. If it's time for a new one, we install Bradford White tank and Navien tankless heaters, handle the permit and haul away the old unit, and same-day replacement is often available. Right now that comes with $50 off any tank installation or $500 off any tankless installation. See water heater repair and replacement for details.
FAQ
Why is my water heater popping?
Almost always it's sediment on the bottom of the tank. Water trapped under the layer boils in small bursts. A flush may help if it's caught early.
How often should I flush my water heater?
Once a year is a good rule for a tank heater in hard water. Tankless units should be descaled on a regular schedule, typically once a year.
Will a water softener help my existing water heater?
It stops new scale from forming, which slows the wear from here on. It won't remove heavy scale already in the tank, but it gives a new heater a much better start.
Is hard water a problem on well water too?
Often, yes. Many wells in Hamilton, Boone and Hendricks counties have hard water, and some also carry iron. A softener can handle both, depending on the levels.
Should I install a softener at the same time as a new water heater?
It's a great time to do it. The new heater starts clean and stays that way, and your plumber can give you options and a price for both at once.
Want to protect your water heater? Call or text (317) 731-3028, or visit our water heater page.
