Clovis Hard Water and Your Water Heater

If your water heater pops, rumbles or runs out of hot water sooner than it used to, the water itself may be part of the reason. The City of Clovis reported an average hardness of 116.4 ppm in its 2023 water quality report. That's not extreme, but it leaves minerals in your tank every single day.

This guide explains what that number means, what the minerals do inside a tank, and the simple upkeep that helps a water heater last longer.

How Hard Is Clovis Water?

Clovis water sits at the top of the "moderately hard" range on average, and some parts of the system run much harder.

The U.S. Geological Survey sorts water by its calcium carbonate content:

USGS category	Hardness (mg/L or ppm)	Grains per gallon
Soft	0 to 60	0 to 3.5
Moderately hard	61 to 120	3.5 to 7
Hard	121 to 180	7 to 10.5
Very hard	Over 180	Over 10.5

Clovis averaged 116.4 ppm in 2023, or about 6.8 grains per gallon. But the City's report also showed a range from 7.3 to 280 ppm. That top number is well into "very hard."

Why the spread? In 2023, Clovis water came about 53% from groundwater and 47% from Kings River surface water, with 37 wells in the system. Groundwater usually carries more minerals. So depending on which wells feed your street, your water may be much harder than the city average.

What Scale Does Inside a Water Heater

Heating water pushes calcium and magnesium out of it. The minerals settle to the bottom of the tank as sediment, and some harden into scale. A little more is added every time the tank refills.

Here's how that buildup wears a water heater down:

Gas tanks lose heat to the sediment. The layer sits between the burner and the water, like a blanket. The burner runs longer to heat the same water, and the tank bottom runs hotter.

Trapped water makes noise. Water caught under the sediment boils in small pockets. That's the popping or rumbling you hear when the heater fires.

Electric elements get crusted. Scale coats the lower heating element. A coated or buried element works harder and can burn out early.

Drain valves clog. Thick sediment can block the drain valve, which makes the tank harder to flush later.

The anode rod wears out. This metal rod corrodes so your tank doesn't. Once it's used up, the tank itself starts to rust from the inside.

Signs Scale Is Building Up in Your Tank

Watch for these in a Clovis home:

Popping, rumbling or crackling when the heater runs

Hot water that runs out faster than it used to

A longer wait for the tank to heat back up

Rusty or cloudy hot water

White flakes or grit in faucet aerators

Water pooling around the base of the tank

Water around the base is the one to act on right away. It can mean the tank is failing. Close the cold water valve on top and call a plumber.

Hearing popping from the tank or running out of hot water early? Call Clovis Rooters at (559) 418-4780, 24/7. We'll check the tank, the anode rod and the drain valve, then explain whether a flush, a repair or a replacement makes sense. See our water heater repair and replacement service.

Simple Upkeep That Helps a Tank Last Longer

You can't change the water coming into your home. You can slow down what it does to your tank.

1Flush the tank once a year. California Energy Commission guidance recommends draining the tank yearly to remove sediment. If a lot comes out, flush more often.

2Check the anode rod every one to two years. The same guidance suggests regular inspection and replacement when worn. A new rod costs far less than a new tank.

3Set the temperature to 120°F. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 120°F for most homes. Lower tank temperature is also one of the steps that helps limit scale.

4Look at water treatment if your water runs hard. A water softener can reduce hardness for the whole house. We don't sell or install softeners, so talk with a water treatment company about that option.

One caution: If your tank hasn't been flushed in years, the first flush can stir up heavy sediment. It may clog the drain valve or leave it leaking. In that case, let a plumber handle the first one.

When Upkeep Isn't Enough

Flushing can't fix a tank that's already rusting through. Replacement is usually the better choice when you see:

Water leaking from the tank itself, not a fitting

Rust in the hot water that a flush doesn't clear

Repeat repairs on an older tank

If you replace it, California law requires the new water heater to be strapped for earthquakes. A good installer handles that as part of the job.

Talk to a Clovis Plumber About Your Water Heater

If your heater is noisy, slow or leaking, call Clovis Rooters at (559) 418-4780. We answer 24/7 across Clovis. There is no fixed price. Cost is set after the job is assessed.

Call (559) 418-4780

How Clovis Hard Water Shortens Water Heater Life