You’ve probably heard of having your furnace tuned up before the winter time to keep it from going out on you in the middle of the season, but have you thought about doing the same for your water heater? Sediment and various materials settle onto the bottom of your tank which will eventually cause it to fail completely, resulting in dishing out some dough to have it replaced.

Regularly Flush Your Water Heater Tank

One of the things you can do is flush the tank. This prevents the sediment building up to the point of replacement. It will also keep your system working efficiently for longer.

Here’s how to do it:

1. First you’ll want to shut off the gas to the water heater if you have a gas unit or the circuit breaker if it’s electric. Then, get a hose, a bucket, and some gloves.
2. Turn off the water to the water heater and attach the hose to the water drain.
3. Turn on the water drain to release water from the water heater tank. You’ll see water draining from the hose and then slowly stop. This happens because the pressure release valve needs to be opened to allow air into the tank. If the water is dirty at first, don’t worry. That’s natural, as sediment and dirt have built up in your tank over time. Give it 10-30 minutes to drain out.
4. Turn off the water drain and remove the hose. Take the bucket and place it below the water drain. With the pressure valve still open, turn on the water to the water tank. Then, turn on the water drain to allow the rest of the sediment to be flushed out. After a little while, check the water to make sure it’s clear. If it is, you can refill the tank.
5. You need to make sure the water drain at the base of the tank is turned off. Close the pressure release valve, and turn on the water to refill the tank. Once it’s full, turn either the gas or the circuit breaker back on.

If you would rather have a professional come out and maintenance it, call Radiant Plumbing today and we’ll gladly take care of it for you!