Tankless water heater

Water Heater Maintenance 101: Flushing Your Water Heater

Water Heater Maintenance 101: Flushing Your Water Heater

Water heater maintenance is essential to avoid having hot water issues, especially in the middle of winter. Regular cleaning and scheduling routine maintenance will help extend your water heater’s lifespan and save you money on costly repairs. One easy way to keep your water heater running is by flushing your water heater. By flushing your water heater, you can drain any accumulation of dirt, mineral build-up and have your water heater run efficiently. Here is how you can flush your water heater and save yourself some money in the long run.

Turning Off Your Water Heater

Thankfully flushing your water heater is relatively straightforward, with the first thing you need to do is turn off the heat for the system. Whether you have a gas or electric water heater, find the shut-off for your heat to avoid your water heater from attempting to heat an empty tank later on. Next, find the shut-off valve for your water heater’s cold water supply and attach a garden hose to the drain spigot located near the bottom of your water heater. Now you should be set to move on to draining your water heater and take the time to double-check any previous steps.

Draining Your Water Heater

With your garden hose connected to the spigot, you can now move on to allowing for some air into the water heater system. Turn on the hot water of a faucet in your home to avoid pressure building up when you drain the water heater and prevent any messes.

Some water heater models may require you to release the pressure relief valve to allow for proper drainage, so turning on a faucet will not be enough. Now you are ready to open up your drain valve and allow water to flow out the garden hose. While flushing your water heater, pay attention to any sediment or discoloration in the water. Once you are done flushing your system, you can close the drain valve, disconnect the hose, turn on the cold water and heat source; then, you should be set.

Importance Of Draining Your Water Heater

You want to flush out your water heater at least once a year to eliminate sediment building up in your water heater. Not only can this sediment and mineral build-up lead to hard water that can dry out your skin, but it can also corrode your water heater’s components over time. Avoiding this simple routine can mean spending more money on replacements, repairs, and having a water heater that will not work efficiently.

At Dailey Company, Inc. we can help get your water heater running like brand new. So call (979) 243-2568, and we can help you with all your water heater questions or concerns.