Most of us tend to target areas at home that are prone to grime when cleaning, including the bathroom and kitchen. But one inconspicuous item at home needs some TLC too – or you’ll end up with nauseating consequences.

Thousands were left racing to check their hot water systems after a plumbing company revealed what happens when you neglect it.

Service Today Australia posted the 'disgusting' TikTok video, giving users a glimpse of what was lurking inside a hot water system that hasn’t been cleaned for years.

Water that sits inside filthy, unserviced hot water systems can negatively affect your skin and hair’s condition along with your clothes and dishes as the dirt passes through the shower, taps, and washing machine.

Check your hot water system NOW! Source: Reddi Plumbing ​

Nathan, a Plumbing Expert from the company, advised that hot water systems should be serviced every one to five years, depending on the model.

Homeowners should also look out for the following key signs, indicating that their system needs a thorough cleaning or replacement: poor water flow, leaking of the tank, inconsistent water temperature, and water discolouration.

'If your water has experienced extreme water discolouration, the unit is past recommended service and may require a replacement.' Nathan said.

'Hot water valves have a five-year replacement life before creating a safety issue.'

Nathan mentioned that the tank featured in the clip was over 13 years old and claimed that the owner couldn’t recall when it was last serviced – or if it even were. The anode rod, which sits inside the tank from the top, also hadn't been replaced.

'The anode rod is fitted on the inside of the hot water system's tank. It's made of magnesium or aluminium and through an electrochemical process, it attracts limestone, iron, and other mineral particles that are usually present in water.’ Nathan detailed.

'Essentially, the anode rod works by attracting the corrosion process (that would otherwise harm the tank) to itself first. In other words, it “sacrifices” itself to extend the life of your water heater.'

Source: @servicetodayau​

The expert recommended replacing the anode rod every five years to prevent rust from damaging the hot water system.

Your hair and skin condition may also suffer over time due to the minerals in the water.

According to a Dermatologist in Beverly Hills, Tess Mauricio: ‘Calcium and magnesium in hard water react with fatty acids in your soap and shampoo to form chemicals that coagulate. As a result, your skin doesn't get cleaned properly and the chemicals leave a residue on your skin.’

This residue can disrupt the skin barrier. She explained that it ‘causes your pores to clog up, which, in turn, can lead to acne and exacerbate skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.’

To make things worse, your hair is negatively affected too. ‘You may notice your hair lose its colour and not look as shiny with long-term use.’ Mauricio said.

Source: @servicetodayau​

The TikTok video has amassed more than 257,000 views, with users flocking to the comments to share their reactions.

'Imagine the water pipes,' one person wrote, while another added: 'This is why you don't ever fill the kettle from the hot water tap!'

‘That’s why the water tastes so good.’ a third joked.

‘No wonder why my clothes are still dirty even after washing them….’ a fourth said.

‘I’ll be adding this to my list of anxieties. Thank you.’ one more commented.

If you want to make sure that your water is clean enough to shower in, may also opt to purchase a shower filter.

What are your thoughts on this ‘disgusting’ find? When was the last time you cleaned your hot water system? Let us know in the comments!

Watch the full TikTok video below:

Source: @servicetodayau​

 

[BMKal]

Pulled out our large storage hot water system years ago (when it developed a hole in the tank) and turned it into a large yabbie cooker. Now we have an "instantaneous" gas hot water system on the wall. There is no tank / no storage / no build-up of crap inside it, and it uses much less gas than a storage unit would ours was electric and it used a lot of power), as it is not maintaining a large tankful of water "at temperature". Only downfall is that you have to wait a few extra seconds for hot water when you turn the tap on, as you don't have that tankful of hot water there ready to be used, and it takes a few seconds for the gas unit to light up and start heating the water. On the flip side - the instaneous units never run out of hot water after two or three people take a shower as the old storage units used to.
Instantaneous units are easy to install. I put ours in myself - just got a licensed plumber around to hook up the gas supply to it as required by law.

 

[Suzanne rose]

Ok no one has ever told me this before.

I have a solar hot water tank which sits on my roof of my 2 story house

 

[Ricci]

Ok no one has ever told me this before.

I have a solar hot water tank which sits on my roof of my 2 story house

I too used to have a solar water system, the anode rods need changing every 3-5 years. I had a contract with Solarhart and they used to just turn up and change it for me. I have since moved and have a much larger solar system that is for everything not just water.

 

[Janice Reilly]

I understood modern electric hot water systems were stainless steel so shouldn't have all that gunk?

 

[LH2022]

If you ever consider getting the 'instant' hot water electric system...don't. They're crap. You either get scalded or frozen, they're SO touchy.

 

[BMKal]

If you ever consider getting the 'instant' hot water electric system...don't. They're crap. You either get scalded or frozen, they're SO touchy.

Been running one for years with no problems at all. If you can't get the temperature water you want out of yours, it has not been set up by someone who knows what they are doing. They are very easy to adjust the temperature (my wife does it herself twice a year for the warmer and colder months) - and are a MUCH cheaper unit to buy and run than a storage unit with a large tank. Unless I was installing something like a decent solar system, I wouldn't use anything other than the "instant" hot water system.

 

[BMKal]

I understood modern electric hot water systems were stainless steel so shouldn't have all that gunk?

If you have a system with a stainless steel tank, then you certainly should not see this problem anywhere near as much. Depends a lot on the "grade" of stainless steel used to make the tank.

 

[LH2022]

Mi

Been running one for years with no problems at all. If you can't get the temperature water you want out of yours, it has not been set up by someone who knows what they are doing. They are very easy to adjust the temperature (my wife does it herself twice a year for the warmer and colder months) - and are a MUCH cheaper unit to buy and run than a storage unit with a large tank. Unless I was installing something like a decent solar system, I wouldn't use anything other than the "instant" hot water system.

Mine was set up by a pro. I hate it. You were lucky.

 

[Zoya]

I too used to have a solar water system, the anode rods need changing every 3-5 years. I had a contract with Solarhart and they used to just turn up and change it for me. I have since moved and have a much larger solar system that is for everything not just water.

Same here.

 

[BMKal]

Mi

Mine was set up by a pro. I hate it. You were lucky.

I installed and set mine up myself - it really is not difficult to get it right.

 

[Ezzy]

Most of us tend to target areas at home that are prone to grime when cleaning, including the bathroom and kitchen. But one inconspicuous item at home needs some TLC too – or you’ll end up with nauseating consequences.

Thousands were left racing to check their hot water systems after a plumbing company revealed what happens when you neglect it.

Service Today Australia posted the 'disgusting' TikTok video, giving users a glimpse of what was lurking inside a hot water system that hasn’t been cleaned for years.

Water that sits inside filthy, unserviced hot water systems can negatively affect your skin and hair’s condition along with your clothes and dishes as the dirt passes through the shower, taps, and washing machine.

Check your hot water system NOW! Source: Reddi Plumbing ​

Nathan, a Plumbing Expert from the company, advised that hot water systems should be serviced every one to five years, depending on the model.

Homeowners should also look out for the following key signs, indicating that their system needs a thorough cleaning or replacement: poor water flow, leaking of the tank, inconsistent water temperature, and water discolouration.

'If your water has experienced extreme water discolouration, the unit is past recommended service and may require a replacement.' Nathan said.

'Hot water valves have a five-year replacement life before creating a safety issue.'

Nathan mentioned that the tank featured in the clip was over 13 years old and claimed that the owner couldn’t recall when it was last serviced – or if it even were. The anode rod, which sits inside the tank from the top, also hadn't been replaced.

'The anode rod is fitted on the inside of the hot water system's tank. It's made of magnesium or aluminium and through an electrochemical process, it attracts limestone, iron, and other mineral particles that are usually present in water.’ Nathan detailed.

'Essentially, the anode rod works by attracting the corrosion process (that would otherwise harm the tank) to itself first. In other words, it “sacrifices” itself to extend the life of your water heater.'

Source: @servicetodayau​

The expert recommended replacing the anode rod every five years to prevent rust from damaging the hot water system.

Your hair and skin condition may also suffer over time due to the minerals in the water.

According to a Dermatologist in Beverly Hills, Tess Mauricio: ‘Calcium and magnesium in hard water react with fatty acids in your soap and shampoo to form chemicals that coagulate. As a result, your skin doesn't get cleaned properly and the chemicals leave a residue on your skin.’

This residue can disrupt the skin barrier. She explained that it ‘causes your pores to clog up, which, in turn, can lead to acne and exacerbate skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.’

To make things worse, your hair is negatively affected too. ‘You may notice your hair lose its colour and not look as shiny with long-term use.’ Mauricio said.

Source: @servicetodayau​

The TikTok video has amassed more than 257,000 views, with users flocking to the comments to share their reactions.

'Imagine the water pipes,' one person wrote, while another added: 'This is why you don't ever fill the kettle from the hot water tap!'

‘That’s why the water tastes so good.’ a third joked.

‘No wonder why my clothes are still dirty even after washing them….’ a fourth said.

‘I’ll be adding this to my list of anxieties. Thank you.’ one more commented.

If you want to make sure that your water is clean enough to shower in, may also opt to purchase a shower filter.

What are your thoughts on this ‘disgusting’ find? When was the last time you cleaned your hot water system? Let us know in the comments!

Watch the full TikTok video below:

Source: @servicetodayau​

Sort of leaves a nasty taste in your mouth.
I once read an article by a company who make stainless steel hot water tanks stating that, 'these tanks do not need a sacrificial anode because they are stainless steel'.