How to Flush a Residential Water Heater
How to Flush a Residential Water Heater
and form a whitish scale. The scale on the heating elements acts as the same buffer in the gas water heaters. The heat transfer from the elements to the water become less efficient as the scale build up becomes thicker. Like the gas water heater, if enough sediment accumulates at the bottom of the tank, the drain valve will become clogged. Accumulation of sediment in the bottom of your water heater can be controlled with periodic flushing. Flushing will not remove all traces of sediment; however a routine flushing regime will prevent excessive sediment build up inside your water heater.
CAUTION: THE WATER WILL BE HOT...........BE SURE NO ONE IS NEAR THE DRAIN HOSE OR THEY COULD GET SCALDED.
1. Turn to power OFF to the water heater at the circuit breaker (electric heater ) or main gas line (gas heater).
2. Fasten a length of garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the heater. Put the other end of the garden hose in the nearest floor drain or snake it outside the home.
3. Close the shut off valve at the cold water inlet line.
4. Open the temperature and pressure relief valve at the top of the heater. Now open the drain valve and allow the water to drain. You will probably notice some small white particles (called scale or sediment) during the early stages of the flow.
5. When the water stops, close the drain valve and remove the hose. Also close the temperature and pressure relief valve at the top of the heater.
6. Open a hot water faucet somewhere in the home. Open the shut off valve at the cold water inlet line. You will hear the heater start to fill.
7. When you have a steady stream of water from the open faucet, turn the faucet off.
8. . Turn to power ON to the water heater at the circuit breaker (electric heater) or main gas line (gas heater). Allow the water heater to recover. Check the drain valve one more time to make sure it is tight.