Why You Should Flush Sediment From Your Water Heater Annually

Making it a habit to flush sediment from a water heater every year helps clean hard water deposits from the inside of the tank before they solidify and cause corrosion and leaks. It also removes grit and other sediment that enters the system from the municipal pipes. This can be a particular problem during times when the water company routinely flushes out large water mains in your neighborhood. Large amounts of loose sediment can enter your household supply pipes and deposit inside the water heater tank. An annual flush not only extends the service life of the water heater but also removes sediment that reduces the volume of water in the tank.

Here’s how quick and easy it can be to flush sediment from a water heater:

1. Turn off the circuit breaker controlling an electric heater or turn off the gas supply to a gas-fired heater. Allow the water heater to cool for at least an hour.

2. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Extend the hose outside to an appropriate location to drain.

3. Close the cold water inlet valve on top of the tank.

4. Open the drain and let the water flow out until the tank is empty. Shut off the drain valve.

5. Open the valve on top of the tank and partially fill the tank again with cold water. Turn off the cold water valve, open the drain and let the tank empty. Shut off the drain valve.

6. Open a hot water tap in the nearest sink to purge air as the tank fills. Open the cold water inlet on top of the tank and fill the tank until water runs out of the hot water faucet.

7. Restore power at the circuit breaker or re-light the pilot light.

For more information about how to flush sediment from a water heater, contact the professionals at Sobieski Services.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Wilmington, Delaware and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC & plumbing systems).

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