Over time minerals from your water begin to build up in the bottom of your hot water heater’s tank. This sediment is present whether you get your water from a municipal source or private well. These mineral deposits can lead to things like premature failure of electric heating elements and, in both electric and gas units, reduced heat transfer; which results in an increased usage of gas or electricity. One of the other unfortunate outcomes that can happen is that the tank itself can deteriorate from the inside. This isn’t something we can actually see due to heaters having something called a jacket on the outside. Under the jacket is a layer of insulation and under that is the actual tank, so getting eyes on potential leaks is almost impossible. Home owner associations (HOA’s) for connected structures, like condominiums and town houses, often require homes in their networks to change their heaters every tens years to avoid the structural damage that is caused by water heater failure.

The unit pictured here is an example of a failed electric water heater. It split open due to water being overheated, and expanding, which created excess pressure inside the tank. The sediment had built up around the base of the tank high enough that it impeded on the thermostat’s ability to register the correct temperature. Heaters are equipped with a T&P valve (temperature and pressure valve), to manage situations like this, but they can fail over time as well. If functioning, the valves are meant to release water when the temp or pressure becomes too great. Flushing a heater, and getting it inspected annually can help prevent situations like this from happening.

I recommend a hot water heater be flushed about once a year. This could be done by any licensed plumber. The plumber should also check the T&P valve to make sure it releases, the anode rod, for deterioration and make sure that the expansion tank is not water logged. For electrical heaters, checking the elements and thermostats is also beneficial.