HOW TO FLUSH YOUR WATER HEATER IN 10 STEPS: ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS
August 22, 2023
Like a reliable car, your water heater needs regular maintenance. Water heaters are one of those modern necessities we rely on every day without giving it much thought. But, over time, water heaters collect sediment, calcium, and minerals that settle at the bottom of the tank.
Why does it matter? Because the water heater's heating element is at the bottom of the tank. If sediment and other materials block this heat, the water heater has to work harder to heat the water.
Below, we'll discuss how to flush your water heater, why it's important to do so, and reasons it's always a good idea to talk to a professional plumber in the Kansas City area to prevent the damage that results from a lack of maintenance.
For the more capable DIYer, draining a hot water heater tank is possible to handle on your own, but it can also be dangerous. The following is expert advice for proper water heater care, but it's much safer and more effective to have it maintained by a professional in the Kansas City area.
Contact Hamilton online or call us at (913) 227-4943 to have your water heater flushed in no time.
Table of Contents
- Why Flushing Your Water Heater Is Important
- The Benefits of Flushing Your Water Heater
- How Often Should You Flush Your Water Heater?
- Signs Your Water Heater Needs Flushing
- Step-by-Step Guide: How to Flush Your Water Heater
- Flushing a Tankless Water Heater
- When to Call a Professional
- Need Help? Call the Experts at Hamilton Today!
Why Flushing Your Water Heater Is Important
Sediment buildup in your water heater comes from minerals like calcium and magnesium in the hard water. Over time, this sediment accumulates at the bottom of the tank, causing several issues that can lead to the following:
- Reducing your water heater's efficiency
- Clogging your water line
- Reducing hot water availability
- Raising your energy costs
- Straining the unit's heating element
- Causing noisy operation
- Damaging the tank with wear and corrosion
- Reducing the water heater's lifespan
As sediment fills the bottom of the tank, it makes it harder for the burner or heating element to warm your water, taking more energy to heat your water. This means it costs more to get diminished results.
Sediment can also lead to more serious issues like clogged pipes, low water pressure, worn-out components, and a failing unit.
Time for a new unit? See our guide for choosing a water heater.
The Benefits of Flushing Your Water Heater
You can reduce or eliminate most of these issues by flushing your water heater. The benefits include:
- Improved efficiency
- Lower energy bills
- Longer lifespan
- Quieter operation
- Better water quality
- Fewer repairs
A properly maintained water heater results in better performance, a longer lifespan, and a lower monthly cost.
How Often Should You Flush Your Water Heater?
We recommend flushing your water heater at least once per year to prevent the potential problems that sediment can cause over time. Typically, it takes one to two hours to flush a water heater. The size of your tank will impact the amount of time it takes to drain. In regions known for hard water, it's recommended to flush twice per year.
Have your water heater flushed by a professional you can count on.
Signs Your Water Heater Needs Flushing
Sediment can build up in your water heater for years without you realizing it, but once the buildup starts to become significant, there are several signs that it's past time to have it flushed.
Here are a few ways you can know if your hot water heater is full of sediment:
- Noises like rumbles, pops, or banging sounds can result from hardened sediment trapping water and creating bursting steam bubbles.
- If your water is coming out brown or reddish, sediment may be rusting the inside of your tank.
- A metallic water taste can also signal sediment is causing your tank to rust.
- Running out of hot water too quickly can mean sediment is taking up a significant amount of your tank's space.
- If your water temperature fluctuates, it can be due to sediment disrupting the operation of the heating element.
- Low water pressure may indicate that sediment is restricting water flow by blocking valves or clogging pipes.
Running into other issues? Explore Hamilton's plumbing installation services.
Step-by-Step Water Heater Flushing Guide: How to Flush Your Hot Water Heater
Flushing your water heater is important maintenance to prolong the life of your unit, but be sure to check your manufacturer's manual to see if trying to work on it yourself voids your warranty or poses a safety risk. When in doubt, it's always best to have this done by one of our expert plumbers.
You'll need some tools and other items to get started, but the exact tools may differ from one unit to the next:
- Garden hose with enough length to drain
- Flathead screwdriver to open the drain valve
- Towel to dry excess water or spills
- Bucket
- Adjustable wrench
- Electric pump
Step 1: Turn Off the Gas or Electricity
Your hot water heater may run on gas or electricity, so be sure it is completely shut off before you begin.
Step 2: Allow the Water Heater to Cool Down
Allow the water heater to cool down. Water heaters typically keep their water at 120 degrees, and you can accidentally scald yourself on the hot water.
Step 3: Shut Off the Water Supply
You want to be sure the water supply is off before continuing.
Step 4: Open a Hot Water Faucet
Turn on the hot water from a nearby faucet to prevent a vacuum from forming and allow the tank to completely drain all of its hot water.
Step 5: Attach a Hose to the Drain Valve
Attach a hose to the drain valve and run the hose to a drain or empty bucket.
Step 6: Drain the Water Heater Tank
Wait until the water has had time to cool. Open the drain valve and allow the water to empty into a bucket. You may have to pour out the bucket several times.
Step 7: Flush the Tank
Reopen the cold water supply and allow it to drain. Repeat to get rid of all of the sediment.
Step 8: Close the Drain Valve
Once you can see the water is free of sediment and debris, close the drain valve.
Step 9: Fill the Water Heater Tank
Reopen the water supply valves and let the tank fill back up.
Step 10: Power Up the Water Heater
Turn the gas or electric power back on to your water heater to resume normal operation.
Flushing a Tankless Water Heater
Does a tankless water heater need to be flushed? Yes, it does.
Even though tankless water heaters don't hold as much water as traditional tanks, they can still require sediment removal. The steps to flushing a tankless water heater are a bit different and more technical than the steps above and may differ from one unit to another.
It's best to have your tankless water heater flushed by a professional plumber. If you're going to attempt this yourself, be sure you follow the manufacturer's guidelines closely.
General Steps to Flush a Tankless Water Heater:
- Turn off the power and gas to the unit.
- Shut off the cold, hot, and main supply valves.
- Relieve pressure by removing the purge port valve caps slowly.
- Attach hoses to the purge valves (may require specific steps for your unit, like connecting to a circulation pump and draining into a bucket).
- Add cleaning solution to the bucket: Your unit may require vinegar or a different solution.
- Open the purge valves.
- Turn on the circulation pump (instructions will say how long to let the solution run through the system).
- Turn off the pump and close the purge valves.
- Flush the system with clean water.
- Turn off the cold water valve and remove the hoses.
- Replace the purge port valve caps.
- Turn on the cold and hot water valves.
- Turn the gas on and restart the heater.
- Purge air from the system.
When to Call a Professional
We highly recommend calling a professional to flush your water heater in all cases, especially if you have an older unit, have discovered any signs of a heavy sediment buildup, or are simply uncertain about any specific steps in the process of flushing your unit.
If you notice any of the following signs, you should call a plumber right away:
- You smell gas near your water heater.
- You notice water leaking from your tank or tank connections.
- The pilot light won't stay lit.
- Your unit trips the breaker repeatedly.
- You hear strange noises like banging or rumbling from the unit.
- You see rust or brown coloration in your water.
Need Help? Call the Experts at Hamilton Today!
Hamilton Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Rooter has dedicated the past 40+ years to ensuring homeowners throughout the Kansas City metro area have 24/7 access to a trustworthy, budget-friendly plumber.
We guarantee our work, so you can have the peace of mind of knowing you'll be treated right. If your water heater needs to be flushed or you need any other plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work, give us a call at 913-227-4943 or schedule service with us today!
Concerned about costs? Check out our specials and financing options.