Why You Should Flush Your Water Heater Once a Year
Due to how important your water heater is, you should take any measures available to prolong its life. There are several different things you can do to achieve this.
One of the most vital parts of water heater maintenance is performing a water heater flush. Flushing your water heater regularly—at least once a year—can not only make it last longer, but can also help it to run more efficiently. This article will cover how to flush your water heater and why it’s an essential tenet of water heater maintenance.
Why you should flush your water heater
As your water heater runs, a layer of sediment and debris begins to form on the bottom of the tank. This happens naturally over time, and there’s not much you can do to prevent it. The sediment consists of the various minerals and other materials that can be found in your water.
Left unchecked, this layer of sediment can become thick enough that it forms a buffer between your water heater’s heating components and the actual water. This can cause the water heater to use more energy to heat the water, reducing its efficiency. The layer of sediment can also eventually lead to clogs, which you obviously want to avoid.
Conducting a water heater flush removes the sediment and gunk from the bottom of the tank and allows your water heater to fill back up with clean and clear water. You can call a professional to have them flush your water heater, but you can also do it yourself. Here’s how.
How to flush your water heater
If you elect to flush your water heater yourself, refer to the following steps:
- Shut off the water supply to your water heater before you begin.
- Turn off the power source. (If you have a gas water heater, turn off the gas, and if you have an electric water heater, turn off the electricity.)
- Let the water sit for at least a few hours. You don’t want to be draining superheated water.
- Hook up a hose to the drain valve. You should put the loose end of the hose outside if you can, but putting it in a nearby drain works too.
- Turn on a faucet in your home using hot water. Try to pick one that’s close to the water heater and a floor above it, if possible. This helps with the water heater’s drainage.
- Open the drain valve and exercise patience as the water flows from the tank. This process may take a while if there’s considerable sediment.
- While keeping the drain valve open, run cold water into the tank. This should help flush out any stubborn sediment that didn’t drain initially. Do this until the water coming out is clear. When you’re done, turn off the water valve.
- Take the hose off the drain valve and close the valve. Turn the water back on. Wait for the tank to fill, and turn on the power source when it’s full. Then turn off the home faucet you turned on at the start of this process.
Call to have your water heater flushed today
If you’d prefer to leave this water heater maintenance process to the experts, give the team at Moody & McClendon Plumbing Inc. a call. We offer quick, helpful plumbing services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you have a plumbing problem for the professionals to tackle, call us right away!
Categorised in: Water Heater Repair