How To Flush Your Water Heater in 5 Steps
Why Should You Flush Your Water Heater?
By flushing out your water heater, you can increase the effectiveness and lifespan of it. This is especially crucial if your home’s water supply does not have a water filter installed on the incoming line.
Since sediment is heavier than water, it will sink to the bottom of the water heater if it is present in the cold water that enters it. Since it was certainly not intended to do so, the water heater frequently ends up serving as the filter for the hot water lines in your home.
Because you are heating the sediment along with the water, sediment buildup in the bottom of your water heater tank can lower the energy efficiency of heating the water. In fact, the sediment at the bottom of the tank in gas water heaters can act as an insulating layer between the water and the burner.
The silt causes the tank to overheat and weaken the steel and glass lining by slowing down the heat transfer from the burner to the water. The lower element in electric water heaters may become covered in sediment, which might make it work too hard and eventually burn out.
How Frequently Should You Flush Your Water Heater?
You shouldn’t put off flushing out your system for too long, given how important your water heater is. Every water heater has a varied lifespan, but by performing routine water heater clean-outs, you can extend the life of your water heater.
You should aim to flush your heater once every couple years. The following procedures will demonstrate how simple it is to flush your unit once a year in order to ensure the greatest performance from it.
What Do You Need to Flush Your Water Heater?
Water heaters build up silt and accumulation that is naturally present in the water supply after prolonged use. Sediment can accumulate and clump together in the heater, which either reduces efficiency or harms the appliance.
Your heater will function more efficiently and with less concern for failure if you flush it out regularly to prevent excessive sediment buildup. It’s possible that a straightforward flush will address some of the most typical issues you’re having with your water heater.
How To Flush Your Hot Water Heater
1. Shut Off the Gas
Your heater will require some power to operate, similar to any other appliance in your household. You could need to perform just one of these actions during a water heater flush, or you might need to perform more. It really depends on your equipment. By turning off your gas, you can prevent the appliance from obtaining any gas and from heating up or leaking.
The switch for the heater should be identified on your circuit breaker, where you can often turn off the electricity to the appliance. By doing this, any electrical problems won’t arise when you operate on the appliance. Keeping in mind this procedure will provide a secure working atmosphere for whoever is carrying out the flush.
2. Turn on a Hot Water Faucet
Open a hot water faucet in your home in order to fool your system into thinking it needs to be running. At the time of the operation, water will stream out but it won’t be heated. This step is crucial because it avoids the formation of a vacuum in the pipes. This can result in unwelcome air bubbles in your water system.
3. Switch Off the Cold Water Valve
There will be a supply valve for cold water supply leading into your water heater. You must turn off this valve before starting the flush. It should be on or close to your unit, and will typically be near the top.
It will resemble a typical faucet valve and may be painted blue to signify cold water. By closing this valve, you can avoid a messy situation where water might otherwise pour into the appliance while it is being flushed.
4. Attach a Hose to the Heater
Find your outlet. This will be located at the base of the machine and will resemble a standard hose faucet. Before you do anything else, you might want to set up a bucket underneath this because the moment the top is taken off, it might begin to drip.
The simplest way to empty the system is using a garden hose. Therefore, you must locate one that can screw onto this spigot.
5. Drain the Tank and Flush the System
By twisting the spigot to which the hose is attached, you can now start to drain the unit. You can utilize this time to check the circumstances your heater might be facing while the water drains out of the tank. Your water heater is most likely in good condition if the water is generally clear and appears typical.
Start flushing the unit out now that the water has been removed from the system. Reopen the cold water faucet so that the new water may flush the system.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, flushing your water heater can increase the effectiveness and lifespan of it. The process of flushing it is fairly easy to do on your own. Just make sure you are taking the correct precautions before starting to flush it.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you’d like help with flushing out your water heater. We will immediately handle any emergency plumbing, drain, and water damage problem, including excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines.
