Let’s face it: Your water heater is a crucial appliance that provides hot water for showers, dishes, laundry, and more. Most water coming to your home has dirt, silt, and sand in it. Sediment can settle in your water heater making heating the water in your tank difficult. This sediment can cause your water heater to be less efficient, shorten its lifespan or cause parts to fail. 

Replacing your water heater is expensive, and it’s a big job nobody wants to have to do. Naturally, this means you want to take care of your water heater and ensure it’ll last as long as possible while working as well as it can. Regularly flushing your water heater can help maintain its performance, extend its lifespan, and prevent the need for hot water heater repair services . 

 Most manufacturers recommend doing a water heater flush 1-2 times per year as part of regular maintenance.

To keep your water heater in top shape, follow these maintenance tips:

• Flush annually (or more frequently if you have hard water).
• Inspect the anode rod every 2-3 years to prevent rust and corrosion inside the tank.
• Check the temperature setting (120°F is ideal for efficiency and safety).
• Insulate the tank to improve energy efficiency, especially in colder climates.

Tools & Materials Needed to Flush a Water Heater:

✔ Garden hose

✔ Bucket (optional, for draining in controlled areas)

✔ Adjustable wrench (if needed for tight connections)

✔ Towels or rags (for any spills)

How to Flush a Water Heater Step-by-Step:

If you need to flush a water heater tank, follow these steps to safely clean out your hot water heater system –

Step 1: Turn Off Your Hot Water Heater System

Gas Water Heaters –

• Set the water heater thermostat to the pilot position or turn it off.
• If needed, turn off the gas supply valve.

Electric Water Heaters –

• Switch off the breaker in your home’s electrical panel.

Step 2: Turn Off the Cold Water Supply

• Locate the cold water shut-off valve (usually at the top of the heater) and turn it off to stop water from flowing into the tank.

Step 3: Connect a Garden Hose to the Drain Valve

• Find the drain valve near the bottom of the tank.
• Attach a garden hose securely to it.
• Run the hose outside or to a floor drain to avoid water damage.

Step 4: Open a Hot Water Faucet

• Open a nearby hot water faucet (like a sink or bathtub) to relieve pressure and allow the tank to drain properly.

Step 5: Drain Your Water Heater Tank

• Open the drain valve and let the water flow out.
• Be careful—the water may be hot!
• If the water drains slowly or appears murky, you may have heavy sediment buildup.

Step 6: Flush Your Water Heater Tank

• Once most of the water is drained, turn the cold water supply back on for a few minutes to flush out any remaining sediment.
• Allow water to run through the tank and out of the drain hose until it appears clear.

Step 7: Close the Drain Valve and Refill the Tank

• Once flushing is complete, close the drain valve tightly.
• Turn the cold water supply back on.
• Keep a hot water faucet open until a steady stream of water flows out (this removes any trapped air).

Step 8: Restore Your Water Heater’s Power Supply

• For gas water heaters, turn the gas supply back on and relight the pilot if necessary.
• For electric water heaters, switch the breaker back on.

Step 9: Check for Water Heater Tank Or Valve Leaks

• Inspect your water heater tank as a whole, as well as any drain valve or water connections, to ensure there are no leaks.

If you notice persistent issues even after flushing, it may be time to call us at In-Line Plumbing & Heating for Water Heater . Stay proactive with your water heater maintenance, and enjoy consistent hot water without the hassle!