When you start thinking about things that might damage your home water heater, images of catastrophic ground flooding or damaging earthquakes might come to mind. However, a few oversights might be more dangerous than any of those less-than-likely scenarios. Here are two water heater villains you should be familiar with, so that you can identify and resolve issues early:

1: Internal Sediment

If you live in an area with hard water, you might be used to things like cloudy shower doors and an extra dose of minerals in your drinking water. However, water laden with calcium and magnesium can spell trouble for your hot water heater. As water passes through your hot water heater, heavy sediment can fall to the bottom of your tank. Over time, this sediment can accumulate into a solid mass, limiting tank capacity and altering the overall function of your entire system.

Believe it or not, hard water can be so troublesome that the mere presence of the heavy stuff could void your hot water heater warranty. To fend off trouble, some hot water heater manufacturers recommend installing a water softener to keep mineral levels in check.

However, if you don't want to purchase a water softener, you might be able to keep sediment levels at bay by draining all of the water out of your hot water tank on a regular basis. At the base of every hot water heater, there is a nozzle where you can attach a hose. By turning off your system, connecting a hose, and routing the water outside, you can help stuck sediment to make its way outdoors where it belongs.

2: Rust

Over time, the water inside of your tank can attack the metal finish that protects the structure, creating tiny pinhole leaks. If you aren't careful, rust accumulation can grow out of control, leading to indoor house flooding. However, you might be able to prevent rust accumulation by keeping track of special sacrificial bars inside of your system.

These bars, also called anode rods, are designed to attract damage from rust, decomposing before the tank can be affected. Unfortunately, these rods can eventually erode away, letting rust attack your water heater tank once again. To fend off trouble, experts recommend checking the status of your water heater anode every six years or so, or up to once a year if you have a water softener--which can make the anodes erode a little faster.  

Being able to identify water heater villains might help you to keep your system in tip-top shape, so that you can enjoy hot showers, clean dishes, and pampered laundry. If you have any questions, contact an HVAC contractor in your area like Wright Total Indoor Comfort.