01 Jul How to clean an electric water heater?

Over the years and especially in areas where water is very rich in calcium, limestone tends to accumulate inside the water heater, giving rise to even significant incrustations. To make the water heater efficient, and to avoid that in the long run, even the connecting pipes are affected, periodically, you will have to carry out a thorough internal cleaning of the water heater. Let’s see together how to clean an electric water heater.

How to clean an electric water heater?

Hard water, i.e., calcareous, does not favor or facilitate the normal functioning of plumbing systems. Furthermore, pipes, taps and even water heaters are affected. When limescale deposits accumulate in the boiler, the water heating time tends to increase and with it, the electricity consumption is connected to the water heating. So, keeping your water heater efficient also saves money on your electricity bill. To clean the boiler, it is not necessary to disassemble it but to open it by operating from the lower base.

Being an electrical appliance, it is prudent to set the switch to “OFF”

If necessary, disconnect the general panel from the electricity. To avoid flooding, the shutter of the bathroom must be closed, as well as that of the general meter. At this point, the bathroom plumbing system must be emptied by opening the sanitary taps (sink, tub, etc.). Now you will have to remove the bottom cover, unscrewing all the bolts present, using a wrench; also remove the plastic cover and then disconnect the electrical wires present using a common screwdriver. Check the resistance well. It is often covered with limestone so it will need to be cleaned and, if it is too damaged, it must be replaced with a new one.

Remove the limescale present on the boiler walls

You will use a common good quality descaling product: you can pass it inside, using a sponge. Finally, you will have to wait for the descaler to take effect. Once the internal cleaning has been completed, the cover will be repositioned, remembering to insert the resistance, reconnect the electric cables with a screwdriver, and finally, screw in the previously removed bolts.

Now the water heater will be reconnected to the water filling and draining plumbing system, reassembling the two flexible hoses. At this point, the work is practically finished. We will proceed to reopen the shutter of the bathroom and drain the water to the bathroom and then to the water heater, which will return to being functional and efficient. Disconnect the power from the general switchboard before starting work.