How water quality impacts hot water systems

How Water Quality Impacts Hot Water Systems

Water quality is one of the most important factors impacting the lifespan and performance of water heaters. Water with high mineral content, such as calcium and magnesium, typically called hard water, leads to scale formation, sediment accumulation, and corrosion within plumbing systems over time.

Scale from hard water reduces efficiency by insulating the heating elements, decreasing heat transfer and water pressure. Mineral buildup from hard water can accumulate at the bottom of the tank water heater, getting agitated and discharged through faucets.

Such mineral deposits can significantly shorten the lifespan of water heater tanks. Corrosion from tank flow hot water with rich mineral deposits causes pitting and wear on metal components.

Chlorides, sulphates, and dissolved oxygen levels in water can also hasten the corrosion process. Bacterial contamination from surface or groundwater sources can affect hot water systems by fostering biofilm growth in tanks and pipes. This slime layer reduces efficiency and can potentially harbour pathogens.

With over ten years of experience, Plumpton Plumbing tackles Sydney’s hard water, improving hot water system performance. Our team stays informed on the latest tankless water heating trends alongside solar hot water and heat pump methods to protect your water heater and manage temperature patterns for our customers.

Through regular maintenance and water hardness assessment, Plumpton Plumbing helps tackle water system challenges, optimise efficiency, and extend the lifespan of your system. Contact us today to discover more about how we can meet your plumbing needs!

Common Water Contaminants and Their Effects

Some of the most common water contaminants that can impact hot water systems include calcium and magnesium:

• Minerals - Hard water containing high levels of calcium and magnesium can be managed with a water softener to prevent scale buildup and sediment inside tanks and pipes. This reduces efficiency.
• Chlorides & Sulphates - These salts, often significantly dissolved and measured in parts per million, contribute to the corrosion of metal components.
• Dissolved Oxygen - Accelerates corrosion through oxidation reactions.

Iron and manganese particles create stains and discolouration in cold water systems prevalent in areas with private water supplies. Tannins from nearby swamps, critical habitats for aquatic organisms, make water appear yellow or brown.

Bacteria like Legionella can grow in biofilm inside tanks and pipes, potentially causing infections through steam vapour. Microbes, akin to those a lake can harbour, can result in significantly reduced water heating efficiency.

Chemicals, even at low levels from industrial or agricultural activities—and regulated in places like the United States—can jeopardise environmental health and degrade plumbing systems.

Fluoride and chlorine added by your local water treatment aim to kill pathogens but systems can still suffer reactions with internal pipes over time, so consult your local plumbing professionals for tailored advice.

By partnering with Plumpton Plumbing, we can aid in safeguarding your water health through consistent hot water system maintenance, efficiently reducing the effects of specific water contaminants.

Signs of Water Quality Issues in Your Hot Water System

There are a few key signs that can indicate your hot water system is being impacted by poor water quality:

• Strange odours - If you notice rotten egg, musty or chlorine smells from tap water, it could point to bacterial growth or chemical contamination.
• Discoloured water - Rusty, brown, or yellow water might indicate corroded pipes or accumulation of sediment, minerals and metals that should be flushed out.
• Reduced water flow - Scale buildup, making water less dense inside pipes and heating elements, can limit the hot water flow from your tap.
• Noisy operation - Scale and sediment accumulation makes pumps work harder and louder.
• Higher energy bills - Hard water may require up to 25% more energy for heating because of scale insulation.

Other signs no longer to ignore include pitted metal fixtures from corrosion, a hot water system frequently turning off due to overheating, and leakage from a tank corroded by minerals and chemicals.

If you notice any of these warning signs, contact our team of licenced plumbers at Plumpton Plumbing. We can inspect your system, diagnose issues, perform maintenance to improve efficiency, and recommend solutions to enhance your water quality and extend the lifespan of your hot water system.

Health Risks of Contaminated Hot Water

Using contaminated hot water from storage tanks that do not meet health standards for purity can lead to significant health risks. Keeping tanks at safe drinking temperatures helps prevent bacterial growth.

Legionella bacteria, which thrive in warm conditions within water heater tanks, are a major health concern. Inhaling steam or mist from contaminated type water with Legionella can lead to a type of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease, with symptoms like fever, chills and cough. Legionella contamination, which water safety protocols aim to prevent, has been responsible for a number of disease outbreaks linked to hot water systems in hotels and aged care facilities.

Another hazard is lead leaching from older pipes and plumbing components which can affect the water used in your hot water system. Exposure to amounts of lead that are less than substantial can accumulate over time and cause health problems like hypertension, kidney damage and developmental issues in children. Corroded pipes also allow other heavy metals like copper to contaminate hot water.

Disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water are a concern as well, as these have been associated with increased cancer risk and birth defects.

Industrial chemical contaminants can change drinking water supplies and pose health risks when ingested or absorbed during showering or bathing.

Therefore, it’s recommended to flush hot water systems and test water quality every quarter. Also consider using test kits along with a water filter and purification options if needed. Our qualified plumbers can assess your natural gas hot water system, pinpoint contamination sources, and restore safe, pure water quality for you and your household.

Preventing Contamination in Your Hot Water System

Several preventative measures can help protect against contamination and maintain your hot water system:

• Flush your water heater - Drain and flush the tank at least once per year to remove sediment buildup. This also removes any stagnant water that could harbour bacteria.
• Inspect and replace anode rods annually, as they draw corrosion from your system, preventing tank wear and prolonging its lifespan.
• Keep temperature water at 60C+ - Maintaining a high water temperature ensures water is a warm water environment where pathogens cannot survive, effectively killing off bacteria and inhibiting growth. Install thermometers to monitor various storage systems and their water temperatures within the tank.
• Use water filters to reduce water contaminants and ensure your safe drinking water quality - Whole house or point-of-use water filters efficiently remove impurities before they enter your hot water system.
• Install water softeners to eliminate mineral-induced scale and corrosion in your pipes and heater.
• Clean heating elements - Eliminate scale deposits from electric hot water heating elements to maximise efficiency.
• Disinfect tanks - Periodically sanitise tanks and associated pipework to control bacterial populations.
• Isolate roof collected water - Keep water tanks collecting rainwater and their plumbing separate from your water supply to avoid cross contamination.

The experienced team at Plumpton Plumbing can work with your water supplier to assess your hot water system, test your water, identify any contamination risks, and complete maintenance to optimise water quality. Reach out today on 1300 349 338 to learn more.

This also removes any stagnant water that could harbour bacteria.

When to Call a Professional

There are a few situations where it’s wise to call in a professional plumber to address water quality issues with your hot water system:

• You notice rusty water, strange smells or tastes, reduced flow or other warning signs of contamination.
• Your hot water system is over 10 years old and likely needs servicing to improve efficiency and lifespan.
• You are installing a new system and want expert advice on the right type and settings for your home and water chemistry.
• You need your water tested to check pH, hardness, bacteria levels and chemical composition.

At Plumpton Plumbing, we have the expertise to inspect your hot water system, diagnose any issues, flush and descale old tanks, adjust water temperatures, and treat contamination risks. We stay up to date on the latest methods and can recommend filtration options tailored to mitigate concerns about water quality.

Serving greater Sydney, we’ll restore purity and efficiency to your hot water system.

Conclusion

In summary, water quality significantly affects hot water system efficiency and lifespan. Exposure to chemical contaminants, due to industrial pollution or water treatment processes, can have adverse health impacts through hot water use.

Mineral-rich hard water can lead to scale, corrosion, and hindered water heating in tanks and pipes.

Strange odours, discoloured water, reduced flow, and higher energy bills are warning signs of water quality issues in your hot water system. Regular maintenance steps like flushing, anode rod replacement, temperature regulation, and tank sterilisation can optimise lifespan and minimise contamination risks.

A well-maintained hot water system ensures the safety of your home’s occupants, effectively addressing water quality issues quickly. The experienced licenced plumbers at Plumpton Plumbing can inspect your system, diagnose issues, treat contamination, and recommend solutions to restore purity and efficiency.

Email [email protected] or call 1300 349 338 for water quality solutions or routine maintenance bookings.