Richlands Well Water vs. Water Heaters: What’s Eating Your Tank? | Wild Water Plumbing
If you live in Richlands, chances are you’re on well water.
And while well water has its benefits, it also comes with a few hidden headaches, especially when it comes to your water heater.
Iron, sulfur, and sediment are like silent killers inside your tank.
Most folks don’t notice the damage until one day there’s a puddle on the floor and the heater’s done for.
The Well Water Connection
Well water isn’t treated the same way city water is.
That means it can carry extra minerals and sediments that go straight into your water heater every time you run a faucet or take a shower.
Over time, those little extras start to pile up.
Iron in your water
That reddish tint in your sink or bathtub?
That’s iron. Inside a water heater, iron builds up as rust, eating away at the tank walls from the inside out.
Sulfur and that rotten egg smell
Ever turned on the hot water and caught a whiff of rotten eggs? That’s sulfur reacting with the anode rod inside your tank.
Besides smelling bad, it signals that your water heater is under attack.
Sediment buildup
Sediment settles at the bottom of the tank, creating a thick layer that forces your heater to work harder.
More work equals more wear and higher energy bills.
Signs Your Tank Is in Trouble
Discolored water
If your hot water looks brownish or rusty, your tank is probably corroding.
Strange noises
Popping or rumbling sounds? That’s sediment moving around inside the heater.
Short hot water supply
Sediment eats up space in the tank, so you end up with less usable hot water.
What Richlands Homeowners Can Do
Flush your water heater regularly
A yearly flush can clear out sediment before it piles up.
Replace the anode rod
This inexpensive part protects the tank from corrosion, but it wears out over time.
Consider a tankless upgrade
Tankless water heaters don’t store water, which means no sediment buildup.
They’re a great option if your well water keeps causing problems.
Add water treatment
A filter or softener can reduce iron and sulfur, helping your water heater last longer.
Don’t Wait for the Leak
Well water might be natural, but it’s not gentle on your water heater.
Richlands families shouldn’t wait until there’s water all over the floor to deal with it.
With the right maintenance or an upgrade, you can stay ahead of the damage and keep your showers hot, clean, and stress-free.