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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Plumbing in the Home > Tankless water heaters, sand and grit
Expert: Dana Bostick - 10/31/2009
Question
Dana,
I have the same issue as Angie (1/9/2009) with grit and sand coming from my tankless hot water system. I have isolated it to only the distribution of hot water after the tankless system. The tankless input filter is sparkling clean. Faucets fed by the tankless system need the aerator cleaned every week. I live in St Louis, and my water company claims no knowledge of the problem. But something is definitely condensing as the water is rapidly heated. Only minimal plumbing cut in was done and I made sure all pipes were perfectly clean.
Thought this might help you with other answers.
Thanks,
Dave
Answer
Hi Dave,
I would have your water tested for mineral content. It's probably pretty high. The rapid heating that occurs in a tankless water heater is causing the minerals to precipitate (Separate as a fine suspension of solid particles) out into a solid form and this is most likely the cause of your problem. The solution would be a water softener to remove these minerals, installed ahead of the hot water system. There are a number of benefits of having one; use less soap and detergent, no mineral build-up on appliances/pipes/dish ware & glasses, no mineral deposits on the glass shower doors etc.
Some areas do not allow the self-serviced, rock salt type due to excess salt in the sewer system. The option is a monthly service from one of the companies that do this. They change the resin tank as needed and service it elsewhere.
Best,
Dana
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