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A good water heater is essential for daily comfort, providing warm showers, spotless dishes, and clean laundry. Despite its efficiency, it requires regular attention to remain in top shape. Neglecting maintenance can cause it to develop serious issues or break down.

How often it needs maintenance depends on several factors, especially the quality of the water it deals with. Understanding the impact of water on your water heater is vital in Michigan, where hard water is common. This knowledge isn’t just useful; it’s necessary to guarantee your water heater’s long life and uninterrupted performance.

Understanding Water Hardness Levels in Michigan

In Michigan, water hardness is a common issue. Water hardness refers to the concentration of minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium ions, dissolved in water. A sign of hard water is a filmy residue left on your hands after washing them.

Hard water is usually measured in parts per million (ppm). In places like Grand Rapids, the water can be very hard at 380 ppm. Lansing has the lowest hard water levels in Michigan, at 99 ppm. Unfortunately, the levels are still considered hard since soft water levels are below 49 ppm.

Water heaters are especially affected by hard water because minerals sit at the bottom of their tanks and create a layer called scale. This layer makes the heater less efficient and causes it to wear out faster.

Knowing about water hardness in Michigan helps us take steps to prevent these issues and keep our plumbing and water heaters working smoothly.

Maintaining Water Heaters in Hard Water Areas

It’s important to look after your water heater, especially if you live in a place with hard water. Here are some easy tips:

  • Regular flushing: It’s a good idea to flush your water heater tank yearly to eliminate buildup.
  • Descale tankless systems: If you have a tankless water heater, you should descale it regularly, which means getting rid of any mineral buildup inside the system.
  • Install a water softener: A water softener reduces the mineral content in your water and prevents scale buildup.

By following these tips and adjusting the frequency of maintenance based on the hardness of your water, you can keep your water heater working well for a long time.

When to Replace Your Water Heater

While regular maintenance like flushing can extend the life of your water heater, sometimes it just isn’t enough. Here are some reasons why you might need to replace it:

  • Mineral buildup: If you’ve left your water heater alone for too long, especially in Michigan’s hard water areas, flushing it might not fix the problem. The mineral buildup can be too much, making the heater work less effectively.
  • Signs it’s dying: Look for signs that your water heater is on its last legs. Things like leaks, rusty water, strange noises, or not heating consistently might mean it’s time for a replacement.
  • Old age: Water heaters usually last about 8 to 12 years. If yours is getting old and causing problems, replacing it might be better than trying to fix it.

Knowing when it’s time for a new water heater can save you trouble and ensure you have hot water when needed.

Why Choose Service Professor?

Keeping up with regular water heater maintenance can help your water heater last longer and work better. Since 1978, Service Professor has been the go-to for water heater services in hard water areas like Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.

Regular maintenance by professionals can extend your water heater’s lifespan, boost energy efficiency, and prevent expensive repairs. Don’t wait until there are problems; schedule regular maintenance with the Service Professor team to keep your water heater running smoothly.

Contact the Service Professor today to schedule regular maintenance for your water heater.

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