A water heater is one of those household devices that is very easy to take for granted. It stays out of sight and mind and can still perform its job for years on end without any maintenance at all. You probably only think of it when something goes wrong. However, like most machines, water heaters also require periodic maintenance to maximize energy efficiency & prolong its lifespan. A forgotten or ignored water heater may keep the hot water flowing for a few years but will slowly cause your utility bills to creep higher & eventually, it will fail altogether.
The best way to protect your water heater is to have your water heater serviced annually by a licensed plumber from Lone Star Water Services. One of our expert plumbers will conduct a full inspection for leaks, rust & other problems, test the valves & thermostat, replace the anode rod to prevent corrosion & flush the tank. Flushing the tank is the one you may want to complete yourself as often as every few months, depending on your local water supply’s mineral content. Learning the process of how to flush a water heater on your own can surely save you a lot of money over a while.
Should I Drain My Water Heater Periodically?
Regularly flushing out lime & other residues in the water heater tank improve the heater’s efficiency & its lifespan. In poorly-maintained water heaters, sediments can gather & calcify, making it challenging to remove. This can become so severe that the complete unit may need to be repaired or replaced. If you flush your tank routinely, you can block sediment & other residues from causing problems.
All sorts of water has some level of mineral content. If you live in an area with a lot of limestones beneath the ground, the groundwater will surely pick up magnesium & calcium deposits, resulting in “hard” water. Hard water forms sediment in the form of limescale that settles & builds up at the bottom of your water heater. With natural gas heaters, this build up of residue can cause uneven heating on the tank that ultimately causes leaks. With electric heaters, this can burn out the lower heating element. And in both gas heaters & electric heaters, sediment buildup can clog the drain valve.
When Should I Flush My Hot Water Heater?
You must flush their water heaters after every 6 months or so, but you should do it more often if you have a hard water supply in your area. Flushing your hot water heater could be needed as often as every few months depending on the local water supply’s mineral content in your locality.
Before You Begin a Water Heater Flush
Before draining the tank, you need to figure out how to turn off your gas water heater. A vacation set might do the trick. Don’t forget to find out whether its pilot light should be lit manually. This information’s best source is the original owner’s manual because pilot lighting procedures vary among models. If you don’t have a manual, check the water heater’s label for a brand name & model number & try to look up the manual online. There must be pilot lighting instructions written on a label on the tank.
How Do I Drain My Tankless Water Heater?
The method specified above refers to conventional tank water heaters. Still, tankless water heaters are also susceptible to damage from mineral sediment. There is an entirely different process to flush tankless water heater equipment & a pump is required to circulate water through the system.
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