Once a year, as an electric water heater loses efficiency, its tank should be drained. The flushing procedure discharges the old water through a drain valve. As it gulps down through the discharge pipe, it's caught by a bucket or a floor drain.
What happens if you don't flush your water heater? The longer your water heater goes without a drain-and-flush, the more sediment and minerals will accumulate at the bottom of the tank. Eventually, this causes scaling.
It's generally a good idea to drain your water heater at least once a year, according to both BobVila.com and The Family Handyman. If you live in an area with hard water, though, Angie's List says you may need to drain it more frequently.
Tank water heaters need to be drained about every six months following these steps: Turn off electricity or gas to your unit. Close the unit's cold water supply valve (this is the valve that sends cool water into the tank). Attach a garden hose to the water heater drain valve, located near the bottom of the tank.
How Often Should I get My Water Heater Flushed? It is recommended that you flush your water heater at least once per year. Doing so will help to prevent the potential problems that sediment can bring over time.
Most homeowners should flush their water heaters every six months or so, but if you have extremely hard water, you may want to do it more often.
The goal of winterizing your water heater is to ensure water doesn't freeze inside of it or the pipes connected to it. Therefore, you must drain any water that may be inside the heater already. To do this, you'll have to locate the drain on the bottom of the water heater.
How much does it cost to flush a water heater? If you're not confident doing the job yourself, expect to pay around $100. This is really a minimal expense considering how damaging sediment can be for your water heater.
To flush your hot water tank, simply turn on the cold water spigot leading into your hot water tank. Let it run for a few minutes until the water exiting your hose runs clear. This may take a bit. While the water might be running clear and isn't brown, you may still have some sediment.
Over time, it can cause premature problems. You can minimize these problems and extend the life of your water heater simply by draining and flushing your water heater, a task that takes about 30 minutes and will make a huge difference in the efficiency of your tank water heater.
Turn off the cold water supply and allow the heater to cool (this may take a couple of hours). Locate the water heater's drain valve, typically found near the bottom of the tank. If you don't have a floor drain, thread a standard garden hose to the valve to drain the water from the tank and direct it into a bucket.
Turn the knob on the heater control box to OFF. To drain the tank, locate the drain near the bottom and attach an ordinary garden hose. Direct the water flow down the nearest floor drain or to the outside, if possible. If you cannot use a garden hose, drain the water into a bucket and repeat until the tank is empty.
During winter, your entire plumbing system, including your water heater, is affected by the colder weather. When exposed to lower temperatures, water heaters endure a lot of strain as they work longer and harder to provide an adequate supply of hot water.
Sediment buildup, rust, and high water pressure are some of the most common causes of water heater failure. Improper installation or equipment sizing are other commonly found issues. A leak can occur near the supply line which can cause damage to dry wall or flooring.
Lifespan of Tank Water Heaters
After using the tank water heater for long (about ten years), the rod gets eaten away and no longer works effectively. The corrosive particles settle on the tank's interior lining, including its bottom, and destroy it. At that point, the tank may start leaking.
Water heater flushing is quick and relatively inexpensive, so investing in a plumber to do it is usually the best option.
Water Heater Maintenance Tips
The pilot light will stay on, but the water will not be heated. Drain your tank and remove sediment. Check your anode rod regularly, as it's an important part of the water heater. If you notice your water heater leaking, it may be caused by a loose drain valve.
Well, it depends on your water heater's recovery rate, which is how long it takes to reheat the water tank once it depletes. On average, an 80-gallon tank water heater can take anywhere from 1-2 hours to recover. However, this is just a ballpark figure.
This can take 20 to 60 minutes, depending on how big the tank is. Be careful not to damage or break the drain valve when you open and close it. Never force the valve open or closed. When all the water has drained from the tank, turn on the cold water valve at the top of the tank 3 times.
Vinegar is part of clearing and cleaning a clogged drain, and it's also helpful in removing sediment from water heaters. After you've drained your hot water tank, you can pour a gallon or so of vinegar through it.