4 Signs of Sediment Buildup in Your Water Heater
If your water heater is making strange grinding and growling noises or your utility bills are creeping up, you could have sediment buildup in your water heater. Depending on the water’s hardness level, sediment can begin accumulating even in your new water heater within the first five years.
At Advantage Air HVAC, we offer HVAC services near Lexington, KY, and we know how to fix sediment buildup in your water heater.
What is Sediment Buildup?
Sediment buildup combines rust, sand, silt, clay, and other elements that build up in your water heater. These can get into public water systems and build up in your water heater, whether you're on your city's water or have a well.
As the water heater tries to work through this sludge, it's unable to heat water effectively or as much water as it usually should. Left unchecked, your water heater will eventually stop working, and you'll need to replace it.
4 Signs of a Water Heater With Sediment Buildup
Here are four signs of sediment buildup in a water heater for you to look out for:
1. Hearing Odd Sounds or Bumping Noises
You might hear the water heater rumbling, bumping, popping, and hissing throughout the house, or only if you're standing beside it. You'll often notice the noises while the hot water runs or shortly after it's turned off.
2. Noticing a Reduction in Hot Water
If everyone in your household used to be able to shower and you didn't run out of hot water, and that's changed, it could be the result of sediment buildup. Sediment reduces the heating element's effectiveness, so you don't have as much hot water stored in the water heater.
Additionally, because the sediment separates the water from the heating element, the water might not get as hot.
3. Seeing Discolored Water
If your water starts looking rusty or cloudy from the faucet, it could be your water heater. It might also have an off-putting odor.
4. Having Higher Utility Bills
If sediment builds up in your water heater, it eventually causes your utility bills to increase because the water heater is drawing on more energy and still not heating the water effectively.
However, since several factors can cause higher utility bills, you'll want a whole-house HVAC inspection.
How to Fix Sediment Buildup in Water Heaters
If you notice these issues, your water heater requires flushing. While you can do it yourself, calling our Advantage Air HVAC technicians gets you fast service and a team that knows what they're doing, so you don't risk damaging your water heater.
Long-term, scheduling annual maintenance allows us to check all your home's heating and cooling systems to prevent challenges before they start.
Find Water Heater and HVAC Services Near Lexington, KY
Whether your water heater is operating loudly, your utility bills are skyrocketing, or you're not getting the hot water you used to, we can help. With regular maintenance or a replacement, your water heater can get back to serving you and your family. At Advantage Air HVAC near Lexington, KY, we can help when your water heater or other residential systems, commercial heating and cooling systems, or geothermal heating and cooling systems aren't keeping up.
Get immediate help 24/7 when you call (859) 559-6409 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. Advantage Air HVAC proudly serves our local communities, including Lexington, Georgetown, Paris, Winchester, and Frankfort, KY.
