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Signs of Sediment Buildup in Your Water Heater (And How to Fix It)

Posted on December 26, 2025 by Melbourne Plumber

As a plumber serving Melbourne, FL, and the surrounding Brevard County area, I see sediment buildup in water heaters more often than you’d think. Our local water comes primarily from the Floridan Aquifer and Lake Washington, and it’s classified as hard to very hard due to high levels of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals. These minerals settle at the bottom of your tank-style water heater over time, forming a layer of sediment that can cause big problems if ignored.

Sediment in your water heater can cause all kinds of issues. Mainly, they heater becomes less efficient and costs more to operate. Also, there is less hot water on-demand as the sediment takes up space.

In southern parts of Palm Bay and areas farther away from the city, people use well water. The water is brought up through the ground using a pump and distributed throughout the home. Filtration systems are often lacking so you end up with massive sediment in the pipes as well as the hot water heater. I’ve drained hot water heater units that were almost had full of ground sediment. Definitely not good.

Signs that you have sediment in your plumbing include gurgling noises, rumbling, and lower water pressure. Signs that your hot water heater is filled with sediment include less hot water than you used to get as well as fluctuating water temperatures. You may also get cloudy and/or gritty water. Your electric bill may also rise.

Hot To Remove Unwanted Sediment from you Water Heater

You will want to unplug the unit and make sure no electricity is present. You will then find the drain plug near the bottom. Turn off the water supply valves as well.

Attach a hose and run it out to the yard or any other safe dumping spot. Remember, this is just water with sediment so it should be fine draining just about anywhere.

Once the unit is empty, turn on the cold-water nozzle is spurts so as to introduce new clean water into the tank. You can do this as many times as it takes. When no more sediment is coming out of your drainpipe then you are good to go.

Remove the drainpipe, re-plug the drain mouth, and turn the water back on. Allow it to fill back up before plugging it back in. Make sure there is no resting pools of water in the immediate area and that the tank is wiped down. You don’t want to take the chance of shocking yourself.

More and more people are opting for the tankless water heater these days. This appliance is more expensive in the near-term but pays for itself in the long run. It heats water as you need it and you never run out of hot water. It’s something to look into.