Hard Water in Aurora, Illinois: The Silent Threat to Your Water Heater’s Lifespan
Aurora, Illinois homeowners face a common but often overlooked challenge that can significantly impact their water heater’s performance and lifespan: hard water. Hardness minerals such as calcium and magnesium remain dissolved in cold water, but become insoluble or show up as a solid material when water is heated, precipitating in the hot water system. Understanding how hard water affects your water heater and implementing proper maintenance strategies can save you thousands of dollars in premature replacement costs.
The Hidden Costs of Hard Water on Your Water Heater
Hard water can decrease your water heater’s efficiency, shorten its lifespan, and rack up your energy bills. The mineral deposits that accumulate inside your water heater create multiple problems that compound over time. Mineral deposits settle at the bottom of your water heater. If your water heater isn’t flushed regularly, hard water can lead to a thick layer of sediment inside your unit. This reduces the efficiency of your water heater, which means it will need to use more energy to heat your water.
For Aurora residents, this is particularly concerning. The water in Denver itself is fairly soft whereas some suburbs like Aurora, Arvada, and Thornton have harder water. This is especially true in Chicago homes that have hard water. The increased mineral content means Aurora homeowners must be especially vigilant about water heater maintenance.
How Hard Water Damages Your Water Heater
If your home has hard water, hardness minerals create limescale that builds up on the bottom of your water heater’s tank. Because your water heater is heated from the bottom, limescale creates a barrier between the heating elements and the water in the tank. This forces your water heater to work harder and longer to heat your home’s water, which can significantly increase operating costs.
The damage extends beyond just efficiency losses. When the minerals in your hard water react with the metal inside your water heater, it causes a chemical reaction that can lead to rust and corrosion. If the corrosion gets bad enough, it can eat through the wall of your water heater, causing leaks. According to studies, water heaters affected by hard water can use up to 25% more energy than those operating with soft water.
Essential Maintenance Tips to Extend Your Water Heater’s Life
Fortunately, there are proven strategies to combat hard water’s effects and extend your water heater’s lifespan:
Regular Tank Flushing
Flushing the water heater at least once a year helps remove the minerals that accumulate inside. However, for Aurora homeowners dealing with harder water, more frequent flushing may be necessary. If your home has hard water, however, the buildup of minerals in the tank will require you to flush your water heater much more frequently (as often as every 3 months).
Anode Rod Inspection and Replacement
This device, also known as the sacrificial anode rod, attracts corrosion to itself. Changing your anode rod regularly helps keep sediment buildup and corrosion from negatively affecting your water heater tank. This is one of the most critical maintenance tasks for protecting your investment.
Temperature Management
The hotter the water, the quicker scale buildup happens. If you lower your water temperature, not only will you reduce energy consumption but you will also be able to delay the adverse effects of hard water on your water heater. The following actions can assist in minimizing or alleviating water hardness issues: drain and flush water heater regularly; do not overheat water, maintain hot water temperature between 125 and 130 degrees F; replace water heater if it is older; consider the use of a water softener.
When to Consider Professional Help
While some maintenance tasks can be performed by homeowners, many require professional expertise. On average, these water heaters last between 8 to 12 years. Annual flushing of the tank can help to extend a tanked water heater’s lifespan. However, Chicago’s hard water can shorten these lifespans. We recommend regular check-ups to catch issues early.
For Aurora residents seeking reliable water heater services, professional installation and maintenance are crucial investments. Whether you need routine maintenance or are considering a complete system replacement, choosing experienced professionals for your water heater installation aurora ensures optimal performance and longevity.
The Flotek Plumbing Advantage
When it comes to protecting your water heater investment in the Aurora area, partnering with a trusted local company makes all the difference. Flotek Plumbing is a five-star rated, full-service plumbing contractor servicing St. Charles, IL, and the Chicago Suburbs. Our team of licensed, bonded, and insured plumbers have extensive experience in residential and commercial plumbing installation, maintenance, and repair.
At Flotek Plumbing, our most important mission is to provide professional and reliable service at an honest price. Repeat business and high reviews provide the most transparent and authentic representation of our reputation. Based in St. Charles, we serve the greater Chicagoland area within 50+ miles. Experience the Flotek difference today.
Protecting Your Investment
Hard water is an unavoidable reality for Aurora homeowners, but its effects on your water heater don’t have to be devastating. Whether you already have an existing water heater or are planning to install a new one, taking preventive action to improve hard water conditions will help extend your water heater’s lifespan. Regular maintenance, proper temperature management, and professional inspections can significantly extend your water heater’s life while maintaining optimal efficiency.
By installing a water softener in your home, you can prevent the buildup of hardness minerals and limescale inside of your water heater. This will maximize the performance of your water heater, lower your water heating bills and keep your unit in great shape. Combined with regular professional maintenance, these strategies ensure your water heater serves your family reliably for years to come, protecting both your comfort and your investment.