Your water heater, like every other water-based appliance in your home, is exposed to sediment. These are the minerals in your water. If you have a lot of minerals your water is considered hard and it is even more important to flush your water heater. That’s because sediment build-up can slowly interfere with the proper functioning of the water heater. It can insulate water from heat, cause corrosion and other issues with the heater. So, as part of regular once-per-year water heater maintenance, your water heater should be flushed.
Many homeowners are confident doing this task by themselves if they want to. All you need to know is how to do it, and this guide will teach you.
How to Drain and Flush a Gas Water Heater
Flushing your gas water heater is simple, just follow these steps:
- Turn it off: You should turn the water heater off both at the pilot light control, and at the gas line itself. By shutting the gas valve you ensure that the water heater cannot turn on or heat anything while you’re working on it, which is essential for your safety and to keep the heater in good condition.
- Close the supply: The supply line brings new, cold water into the tank to be heated up. You should turn off this line so that you can truly empty the tank. Otherwise, it will just keep filling up as you attempt to empty it. Simply close the valve to the line.
- Turn on a faucet: In order to prevent a vacuum in your pipes, turn on one of your faucet’s hot water knob. Allow it to run, or just stay open once the hot water is gone, until you’re done.
- Get the hose: You can drain the tank itself with your garden hose. You’ll need to hook up the hose and then position the other end somewhere it is safe to drain out the water. Don’t use a bucket, it’s far too small. A utility sink or a nearby tub are good options.
- Turn it: The hose should now be attached to a valve on the tank and all you have to do is open the valve and gravity will pull the water out. It will take some time for the tank to drain entirely.
- Flush: Is the tank empty, but you still feel like there is some debris in there? Turn the cold water line on and let it run until you’re satisfied.
Now follow the steps in reverse to remove the hose, and restore function to the water heater.
Are you looking to speak with a HVAC expert? Contact the team at Lambton ClimateCare today!
How to Flush an Electric Water Heater
The process of flushing an electric model is the same as that for the gas heater, except that you don’t need to turn off the gas line. Instead, you need to cut the power to the electric heater. Turn it off and, for extra safety, switch the breaker that controls the heater.
Do you have questions about the proper maintenance of your water heater? Reach out to Lambton ClimateCare for expert advice on water heaters today!
