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How Often Should You Flush Out Your Water Heater?

How Often Should You Flush Out Your Water Heater M - How Often Should You Flush Out Your Water Heater?

The importance of water heater maintenance is often forgotten. Although a water heater may seem like low maintenance, it is crucial to keep up with it as time progresses. That being said, you will need to drain your water heater tank to be cleared of any sediment. Doing this promotes efficiency and reduces the chances of damages to the water heater.

How does it work?

Two vital steps for the maintenance of water heaters are flushing and draining. The difference between flushing and draining your water heater tank is the state of your water source. When you turn off your water supply, you’re essentially just dumping the water out. If you turn on your water supply, then you’re flushing out the water. The purpose of draining a tank is to empty the tank. However, flushing replaces all the water in the tank with new water, and this constant flow of water washes away the sediment buildup in your tank. It is necessary to flush and drain your water heater regularly to maintain the quality of your tank and the state of your water as it flows through your house. You can flush and drain the water heater at least once a year to remove the sediment that has built up over time. Even though it should be done once per year, licensed plumbers recommend you drain regularly and flush every six months.


Typically, most homeowners will first flush and then drain their water heater. Plumbers usually tell you to do the opposite. To maintain your water heater, you should shut off the water supply, so the water heater can drain the unit. Shut off the gas or electric heat in your house. Remember to turn the power of the water heater off. Otherwise, the heating elements in your water heater may burn out. To help prevent any future injuries, it is recommended to let the water in your heater cool off overnight. Then, you should proceed to connect the hose to your drain’s valve and turn the wheel until the valve opens up. While you are waiting for the old and dirty water to be flushed out, go ahead and turn the faucet on. Doing so will help speed up the process by eliminating some of the water and also decreases the temperature. Draining out the water is a time-consuming process, and some plumbers may have to repeat the draining process multiple times to ensure that the water is clean.


After the valve is turned on, flushing takes place. Turn the water supply back on, so all the dirty water filled with sediment buildup is flushed out with clean new water. This will help eliminate the sediment found at the bottom of the water heater, then turn it off. Repeat this step multiple times until the water runs clear.

The Last Step!

Once the water runs clean, it is time to refill the tank. This step is done by closing the valve and removing the hose from the drain valve. Turn the water supply back on, and the tank will refill by itself. Turn off the faucet you turned on during the flushing part, and your water heater is now drained, flushed, and efficient!

Although this is time-consuming, flushing a water heater isn’t a difficult task. It will only take a few hours of your time, and in the end, your water heater will have a longer lifespan! For any difficult plumbing issues, contact Green’s Plumbing and speak to a professional plumber today!

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