Protecting Your Water Heater From Wildfire Ash in Los Angeles

Wildfires in Southern California affect the lives of millions and cause so much destruction. The Pacific Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire are two recent examples of Los Angeles wildfires that caused so much damage with their flames and affected the air quality. Many nearby areas were affected by falling ash from the sky, which ended up in their water heaters, causing them to shut off or prevent hot water production.

At Monkey Wrench, everyone was or knows someone affected by the wildfires. Whether it’s our team members or homeowners we serve, Monkey Wrench provides resources to help those affected during difficult times. Whether it’s preventative maintenance or repairs, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners with any water heater issue they may have, including ash contamination.

In this article, we’ll break down the following information.

• How wildfires affect water heaters
• What to do if your water heater is contaminated with ash
• Preventative measures for future wildfires

With this information, you’ll be able to address ash contamination with your water heater and go back to having hot water access you and your family can enjoy.

Before we continue, it’s important to note that it’s highly recommended to book or call a technician if your water heater shut down or was impacted by wildfire ash since they’re qualified to inspect and repair your water heater if needed.

Let’s jump right in!

How do Wildfires Affect Water Heaters?

Wildfire ash and soot can spread throughout Los Angeles, negatively impacting air quality and even affecting indoor and outdoor fixtures. As the ash spreads, it builds up on any surface outside, including cars and tankless and conventional water heaters. 

If the ash and soot accumulate within your water heater, it can cause it to shut down and prevent it from heating or providing hot water. 

Here’s a look at how ash and soot can end up in a water heater.

Air Intake Contamination

If you have a tankless water heater, it can draw in ash and soot due to its air intake operation, which helps it operate efficiently. As wildfires burn, the resulting ash and soot spread and can be drawn into the tankless water heater. 

This can lead to blockages in the ventilation system and reduce the heating efficiency or cause it to shut down due to lack of airflow. Even if there wasn’t air intake, water heaters can still be affected by ash as it enters a water heater.

Ash Accumulation on Water Heater Parts

Ash can accumulate on the internal and external parts of a water heater. The burner assembly of tankless and conventional water heaters is responsible for transferring heat to incoming water. 

If these crucial parts are heavily contaminated with ash and soot, the heaters may have to work harder and experience early wear and tear. In some cases, the water heaters may shut down due to too much ash and soot contamination. 

Water Contamination

Contaminated water is another way your water heater can be impacted by ash and soot from wildfires. Ash and other contaminants, such as the ones below, can enter rivers, reservoirs, and water treatment centers and end up in the water used by water heaters.

• Debris
• Chemicals from burned structures
• Heavy metals
• Volatile organic compounds
• Bacteria 

For the Pacific Palisades Fire, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power issued an unsafe water alert to not drink tap water in the affected areas and limit hot water usage.

Even with limited use, the sediments from the contaminated water can build up inside the water heater and reduce its efficiency or even cause it to shut down until it’s further inspected.

What to Do If Your Water Heater Has Ash?

You may see ash build up on the outside of your water heater, but it can be challenging to know if it’s built up inside. The most common symptom of an ash-contaminated water heater is a power shut-off. Even if your water heater doesn’t shut off, the ash and sediment can affect the parts inside, and they may not be caught until your next scheduled service maintenance.

Whether your water heater is shut off or not, if you suspect ash in it, it’s best to contact a technician for further inspection. Licensed technicians can inspect your water heater and use their tools to determine whether there’s been any damage from ash contamination.

Technicians can wipe down and clear dust, ash, and other debris from the water heater exterior. They can also use compressed air to blow out any ash inside the unit and clear it from the internal components.

To effectively remove ash from the inside, a technician will need to perform a water heater flush. For tank-style water heaters, technicians drain the tank to flush out any ash and sediment inside the tank and then refill the tank with water. For tankless water heaters, technicians use vinegar to flush out ash and sediment from the inside. 

Water heater flushes are common in annual maintenance and can provide preventative care.

Preventive Care for Water Heater in Case of Wildfire

It may be challenging to protect your water heater from future wildfires. It will be exposed to any ash falling if it’s located outdoors. Water heaters installed inside may be better protected, but ash can still enter the exhaust system.

If there’s ash in the air, that should be a sign to schedule maintenance to have your water heater checked and cleared of any possible ash contamination. 

Post Wildfire Care: Ash in Water Heater 

To protect your water heater from ash, soot, and other byproducts from fires, it is essential to schedule a flush. By staying prepared, you can make sure your water heater can provide cleaner hot water without worrying if it contains ash.

Since 2007, Monkey Wrench has serviced thousands of water heaters. Whether the problem is ash contamination from wildfires or limescale from hard water, our technicians take the proper measures to ensure that the heaters operate efficiently.

If you’re dealing with water heater issues, contact us using the button below or our tankless water heater online scheduler.

If you’re interested in a new water heater, compare the different types of water heaters available, like tankless, conventional, and heat pump water heaters.