How to Flush Your Water Heater. (And What Happens if You Don’t!)
Can you imagine living in your home without hot water? Your home’s water heater is an essential appliance that provides you with hot water for washing dishes and clothes, taking showers, and more. Flushing your water heater is an important maintenance task that prolongs its life and helps it run efficiently, but what happens if you don’t flush your water heater? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and more!
Why Do I Need to Flush My Water Heater?
As your water heater provides your household with hot water, there’s also sediment and minerals building up in the tank. This buildup can cause your water heater to operate less efficiently and shorten its lifespan. Lower efficiency also means that you’ll spend more money on your utility bill every month. In addition, the sediment can block the heater’s pressure relief valve, which can cause the tank to overheat and be a potential fire hazard. Flushing your water heater regularly will help keep it operating at peak performance and increase its life expectancy.
Luckily, this is a DIY task that you can complete in just a few simple steps. Keep reading to learn how to flush your water heater like a pro! However, if your water heater has not been flushed in the last five years or more, it is better to get a professional to do the job. This is because sediment can accumulate and get stuck in the tank, which requires a professional to access and clean.
If you need assistance flushing your water heater, Downey Plumbing can help. Our professional team of plumbers has the tools and experience necessary to quickly flush your water heater and get it running efficiently again. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
How to Flush Your Water Heater
Flushing your water heater is a simple process that involves draining the tank completely and then refilling it with fresh water. To make sure you flush your water heater correctly, follow these steps:
Step 1: Turn Off The Power (Gas or Electricity)
Before you start flushing your water heater, make sure to turn off the power – either gas or electricity. To turn off your water heater, follow these steps based on the type you have: For electric water heaters, switch off the circuit breaker supplying power to it. For gas water heaters, turn the gas valve to the “off” position or use the gas shutoff valve to turn off the gas supply. This will ensure that no accident occurs while you are performing this task.
Step 2: Shut Off The Water Supply
Next, shut off the water supply to your water heater. This can usually be done by turning a knob on the cold water pipe connected to the heater. You should wait for some time to allow the water within the tank to cool before flushing.
Step 3: Open a Hot Water Faucet
Open a hot water faucet located near the water heater or anywhere in your home. This will provide an outlet for the old water to escape from.
Step 4: Attach a Garden Hose to The Drain Valve
Attach a garden hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of your water heater and route it outside to a drain or into a drain within the house. Make sure that the hose is securely attached so that no water leaks out during this process.
Step 5: Open The Drain Valve
Open the drain valve and allow the old water to flush out of your tank. Be sure to keep an eye on it so that you can turn off the drain valve when all of the water has been flushed out. If you have a 40-gallon tank water heater, this process will take about 30 to 40 minutes.
Step 6: Refill The Tank And Flush
Once all of the old water has been removed from the tank, turn off the drain valve. Turn on the water supply and refill your tank completely with fresh water. This step lets cold water into the tank, which helps flush out any remaining sediment. Do this for about 5 to 15 minutes. Repeat this process two to three times or until the water runs clear.
Step 7: Refill The Tank With Water
Now, remove the hose and refill the tank with fresh water. This will allow it to start heating up again. Make sure that you check for any leaks from the hose or connections before turning it back on. The tank is full when water starts coming out of a hot water faucet located near the heater. At this stage, the water will not be hot.
Step 8: Turn On The Power (Gas or Electricity)
After flushing your water heater, turn the power (electricity or gas) to the tank and allow it to heat up again. Your water heater should now be performing better than before, with no sediment buildup.
In order to restore power to your electric water heater, don’t forget to turn on the breaker for your electric heater. When you hear a low humming noise from the unit, you will know it’s working again. You can expect to have hot water available in less than an hour.
To restart a gas water heater, first turn on the gas. Then, set the control dial to pilot and ignite the switch 2-3 times. Verify that the pilot light is running by inspecting the sight glass. Some models have a flashing green light to indicate that it is functioning.
Congratulations – you have successfully flushed your water heater! You can now enjoy hot water.
Contact Downey Plumbing if You Need Help Flushing Your Water Heater
Flushing your water heater is an important maintenance task that helps keep your home’s hot water supply running smoothly while also helping you save money on utility bills. If you need help flushing your water heater, contact a plumber from Downey Plumbing. Our experienced plumbers and technicians can help you flush out sediment buildup, check for bad components, and make sure your water heater is running properly. Contact us today at 562-646-1221 to learn more!
