There’s no such thing as a maintenance-free water heater. Like most appliances, water heaters require ongoing maintenance to prevent premature failure. Assuming you have a traditional tank-based water heater, for instance, you’ll need to flush it periodically, Flushing will remove sediments that could otherwise affect the performance and longevity of your water heater.
What Is Water Heater Flushing?
Flushing is the process of draining all of the water within a water heater so that it can be replaced with fresh water. Most water heaters have a tank in which water is stored. Some of them hold 50 gallons of water, whereas other tanks hold 80 or more gallons of water. Regardless, water heater tanks store water while simultaneously heating the water so that it’s readily available to use at any given time.
As you use the hot water in your home, some of the water within the tank will be depleted. Fortunately, water heaters are designed to automatically replenish this water. The problem, however, is that sediments are oftentimes left behind in the tank. Over time, calcium and magnesium sediments will build up inside of the tank. Flushing your water heater will replace all of the water inside out while simultaneously removing all of these sediments.
The Importance of Flushing Your Water Heater
Flushing your water heater is important for several reasons. It will make your water heater more efficient, for instance. When sediments build up inside of the tank, your water heater may consume more energy. Gas water heaters will burn more gas, while electric water heaters will pull more electricity.
Your water heater will also last longer if you flush it. Sediment buildup can degrade your water heater. It can weaken the interior of the tanks while also wearing down seals and connectors. In some cases, sediment buildup can even cause water heaters to burst – which can prove highly dangerous.
How Water Heater Flushing Works
Water heaters should typically be flushed at least once per year. You can do it either yourself, or you can hire a professional heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) technician to flush your water heater. Most water heaters can be flushed using a water hose. Connecting a water hose to your water heater will flush the tank so that it can be refilled with fresh water. If you’re not comfortable flushing your water heater, you should leave this task in the hands of a professional HVAC technician.
