Why You Should Flush Your Water Heater Annually
Regularly flushing your hot water heater is essential for preserving performance and energy efficiency. At Iceberg Home Services, we recommend annual flushes to achieve optimal performance. In this guide, we cover why you should flush your water heater and how to do so either by DIYing or by scheduling an appointment with our team.
Why Water Heaters Need To Be Flushed
Over time, sediment can build up within your water heater. As the sediment accumulation grows, it will take up space within the tank and diminish the amount of water inside. This diminished capacity means that you will have less hot water for cooking, cleaning, and bathing.
You may notice signs that sediment buildup is reaching critical levels within your tank. These signs could be rumbling or popping sounds, “rotten egg” odors, dirty or rust colored water running through your taps, or inconsistent water pressure and temperature.
For most homes, flushing the water heater tank once a year is sufficient to keep the sediment at bay. However, if you live in an area with particularly hard water, then flushing twice a year may be the best solution for keeping your tank free of sediment buildup.
What Happens if You Don’t Flush Your Water Heater
There are a lot of problems that you can happen if you don’t regularly flush your water heater. Diminished capacity is just one of these, but it’s the one most homeowners complain about the most. Other common issues include reduced efficiency and higher utility bills. That’s because the unit has to work harder to generate the hot water demands placed upon it. You will also suffer lower water pressure because the sediment will block the pipes and narrow the space water can flow through.
How To Flush Your Gas Water Heater
Flushing your water heater is not overly complicated, and many homeowners opt to do this process themselves. However, you can also call our plumbers to ensure the job is done correctly and to save yourself the hassle.
If you do want to give it a try, the following are the steps involved in the process. You’ll want to plan anywhere from one to two hours to complete the process. If it’s your first time, don’t rush these steps and take your time to ensure everything is done properly; otherwise, you could damage your water heater or suffer a personal injury.
- In order, turn off the unit’s thermostat, gas supply, and water supply.
- Turn on the hot water in one of your sinks or bathtubs. This vital step releases pressure from the tank.
- Connect your hose to the drain spigot and place the other end of the hose into a bucket or nearby drain.
- Open the spigot and drain the tank. As the water flows out, pay close attention to it. You will want to note any sediment coming through and any rust-colored discoloration.
- Flush the tank. To do this, turn on the cold water spout and allow it to run. This takes a few minutes to complete. You can stop running the water when it runs clear.
- Turn off the cold water spout, then turn off the hot water from the tub or sink.
- Turn on the cold water from the faucet in the same tub or sink. Verify that cold water comes through.
- Finally, make sure everything is properly closed and secured, then relight the pilot light, turn on the thermometer, and you’re ready to go.
Note: If you have an electric water heater, you will want to turn off the circuit breaker first and then turn it back on when all the other flushing steps are complete.
Schedule Water Heater Services With Our Team
For more than a decade, the professionals at Iceberg Home Services have proudly served clients in Orlando, Winter Haven, and throughout Central Florida. When you choose our team, you will enjoy 24/7 emergency services, same-day service appointments, special offers, free estimates on replacements and service calls, and more. Our family-owned and -operated business never charges for overtime, and we service all brands.
Contact Iceberg Home Services to schedule water heater services in Orlando and throughout Central Florida today!
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