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How to Flush a Hot Water Heater
Flushing Water Heaters to Improve Efficiency
Introduction: Hot water heaters
are susceptible to internal corrosion that
decreases its efficiency and eventually causes the
heater to rot out. Periodically flushing the hot
water heater is especially important if you have
your own well. Private drilled wells have a larger
amount of minerals in the water than public
supplied water.
If you have your own water
supply from a well you should flush the hot water
heater every two years at least. By flushing the
minerals that gather at the bottom of the reservoir
will prevent erosion and tank rot out and extend
the life of the unit. In addition, flushing the
minerals will improve the unit’s efficiency.
Flushing a hot water heater is an easy DIY
homeowner task that can be performed within an
hour.
How to flush a hot water heater:
1.
2.
Temporarily turn off the water supply to the
heater. You will have to turn it back on for water
to flow through the heater to flush it.
3.
Attach a suitable length of garden hose to the
drain spigot at the base of the hot water heater.
Run the other end of the hose outside or into a
bucket.
4.
Open the spigot at the base of the hot water
heater. Turn on the water supply and the water
should begin to run through the heater and out the
drain. As the water flows through the heater and
out the drain the sediment in the bottom will be
flushed out. You will note the water is rather
nasty until all the sediment has been flushed out.
5.
Let the water run through the hot water heater for
several minutes until it runs clean.
6.
Close the drain spigot and remove the hose.
7.
Turn the heater back on or close the circuit
breaker if it’s an electric heater. It will take
several minutes for the water to heat as the heater
is full of cold water.
8.
Purge the air out of the unit by opening a hot
water tap in the kitchen or bathroom. There will a
hissing sound as the air escapes and the hot water
pipes may be noisy for a few seconds. That’s all there is to it. Periodically flushing the hot water heater will increase its life and efficiency. Related arrtices:
Clogged Sink Drains - Clogged Toilets
How to Prevent Frozen Water Pipes How to Repair a Burst Water Pipe How to Turn Off Your Water Supply
Installing or Replacing Sink
Faucets
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