Cloudy Hot Water? Fix It In 15 Minutes!

If you have noticed that the hot water from your taps is coming out cloudy, milky, or with floating white particles, your hot water cylinder is likely the culprit. Cloudy hot water is usually caused by scale buildup inside the hot water cylinder. This scale is made up of minerals like calcium that are naturally present in the water.

As the water is heated inside the hot water cylinder, these minerals become less soluble. Then they come out of solution and form mineral deposits on the inner surfaces of the cylinder. Over time, these deposits build up, flakes off into hot water, and gives it that cloudy, unappealing appearance. This is why regular servicing of your hot water cylinder is important.

Luckily, you can fix cloudy water issues from your hot water cylinder in as little as 15 minutes with some simple steps. In this article, we’ll walk you through an easy scale removal process that utilises citric acid to dissolve and remove mineral deposits. After just one cleaning treatment, you’ll once again have clear hot water flowing from your faucets.
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What You’ll Need

  • Citric acid powder – buy at grocery stores or on Amazon

  • Large bucket (at least 5 gallons capacity)

  • Water hose

  • Adjustable wrench

Step 1: Turn Off Power to Hot Water Cylinder

Start by locating your hot water cylinder and turning off the power at the circuit breaker or turning the thermostat to its lowest setting. Shutting off power prevents the heating element from accidentally turning on while you have the hose inserted.

Step 2: Disconnect Hot Water Outlet

Look for the hot water outlet pipe connected about halfway up the side of the hot water cylinder. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen and disconnect this pipe so water can flow out. Place the bucket underneath to catch any water that leaks out when you remove the pipe.

Step 3: Mix Citric Acid Solution

Refer to the citric acid packaging for exact mixture ratios, but generally you’ll want to mix about 2 cups of citric acid powder into a few gallons of water in your bucket until fully dissolved. The solution needs to be concentrated to effectively dissolve scale deposits quickly.

Step 4: Insert Hose and Start Flow

Attach your hose to the hot water outlet of the cylinder where you removed the pipe. Ensure it’s securely inserted. Turn on the water to a medium flow rate, allowing the citric acid solution to flow into the hot water cylinder.

Step 5: Circulate for 15 Minutes

Set a timer for 15 minutes. This allows the citric acid adequate time to react with the calcium carbonate scale and dissolve deposits from inside surfaces of the cylinder. The water flowing out of the hose will become cloudy at first as flakes of scale get dissolved and flushed out. After 10-15 minutes it should start to clear up.

Step 6: Rinse Thoroughly

After 15 minutes, turn off the hose and use the adjustable wrench to reattach the hot outlet pipe securely. Turn the water supply back on and on a hot water faucet for 5 minutes to rinse any remaining solution out of the hot water cylinder system.

Check Clarity of Hot Water

The final step is the moment of truth. Turn on your hot water tap and observe the clarity. It may still be slightly cloudy at first but should clear up after a few minutes. If not, you can perform a second citric acid cleaning treatment for more stubborn scale. If the water remains clear after a few minutes, congratulations! You’ve successfully removed scale from your hot water cylinder and can now enjoy clearer hot water from your taps.

Preventing Scale Buildup

To prevent needing repeat treatments, consider installing a scale prevention device on your hot water cylinder system. These work by changing the hardness structure of calcium so it doesn’t stick and form scale deposits. Alternatively, set yourself a reminder to perform this citric acid descaling maintenance every 3-6 months. Catching scale buildup early keeps it easier to remove and maintain great hot water clarity long-term.

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