How to Flush Out a Hot Water Heater to Improve its Efficiency and Extend its Life
By Mark J. Donovan
|
|
Every couple of years it’s a wise idea to clean your hot water heater, or more specifically flush out your water heater. Over time minerals and sediments can build up at the bottom and on the sides of your hot water heater and cause it to work less efficiently. As a result the life of your hot water heater can be dramatically shortened if you do not occasionally flush it out.
Flushing a hot water heater is easy to do and requires only about an hour of your time. The first step in flushing out a water heater is to turn off the circuit breaker to it. Immediately follow by turning off the cold water supply to it. If you have a Propane or LP fired water heater leave the gas valves on. |
Next attach a garden hose to the drain hose bib at the base of the hot water heater. Run the other end of the hose outside or to a drain where the water can safely be dispersed.
| Then turn on a hot water sink or tub valve in the home, preferably one closest to the hot water heater. This will break the vacuum so that water drains from the hot water heater freely.
Next turn the valve on at the hose bit at the base of the hot water heater. The water should then begin to drain from the hot water heater. As the hot water heater empties you may notice some of the sediment draining from it, particularly when the tank is nearly empty. Note that it could take 15 to 30 minutes for the tank to fully drain depending upon how much sediment is in the base of the hot water heater. |
 |
After the water has been drained from the water heater, turn the cold supply line to the water heater back on while leaving the hose bib valve turned on.
This will allow fresh water to flush out the water heater and remove any additional loose sediment and minerals. Repeat turning on and off the cold line supply water valve a few times to thoroughly flush the hot water heater.
| Once you’ve flushed the hot water heater a few times close the cold supply line valve to the hot water heater and then close the hose bib valve at the base of the water heater.
You can then remove the garden hose. Be careful not to spill water from the hose onto the floor of your home. Next turn the cold water supply line back on to the hot water heater. Once the hot water heater is full and you begin to see water coming out of the hot water sink or tub faucet in a steady stream, without air blasts, you can close it off as well. |
 |
Finally, turn the circuit breaker back on to the hot water heater. At this point the hot water should turned back on and begin heating the water again.
For information on installing a shower pan membrane liner for a ceramic tile shower, see the Shower Pan Membrane Liner Installation eBook from HomeAdditionPlus.com. The Shower Pan Membrane Liner EBook will quickly teach you the step-by-step process for installing the shower pan membrane liner correctly. It includes instructions on framing the shower stall, pouring the pre-slope and shower base mortar, and installing the shower pan membrane liner.
For information on how to tile a custom ceramic tile shower, see the “How to Tile a Custom Ceramic Tile Shower eBook” from HomeAdditionPlus.com. This eBook will quickly provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to measure and install ceramic tile in a shower, including the installation of tile on shower walls, floors and curbs. It provides detailed instructions for every step in the process of tiling a custom ceramic tile shower and is loaded with instructional pictures!
Related Information
Additional Plumbing Resources from Amazon.com
  |
  |
Get Free Bathroom Remodeling Price Quotes with No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote on a bathroom remodeling project from one of our pre-screened and licensed bathroom remodeling contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to continue once you receive your bathroom addition price estimate.