Tank-style water heaters are a staple in countless homes and business across the nation, providing a reliable supply of hot water for daily needs. However, many homeowners overlook the importance of regular maintenance for these vital plumbing units. One crucial aspect of maintaining a tank-style water heater is periodic flushing.
In this article brought to you by Proline Rooter, we'll touch on the significance of flushing your water heater and share steps involved in this essential maintenance task. If you’d rather have a trained plumber handle your water heater maintenance, or if you need urgent water heater repair, then call Proline Rooter to hire a uniformed plumber.
Before getting into the maintenance aspect, let's briefly understand how tank-style water heaters work. These units store and heat water in a reservoir, or tank, ensuring hot water is readily available for various household tasks like bathing, cooking, and cleaning. Over time, sediment and mineral deposits can accumulate at the bottom of the tank, affecting the heater's efficiency and lifespan.
Flushing your tank-style water heater involves draining the tank to remove accumulated sediment and mineral buildup. This process is crucial for several reasons.
Remember, sediment buildup inside the tank acts as an insulating barrier, reducing the heater's efficiency and causing it to work harder to heat water. Flushing clears out this buildup and allows the heater to operate more efficiently. That efficiency turns into savings on energy bills.
Sediment accumulation can also lead to corrosion and damage to the tank, shortening its lifespan. Regular flushing helps prevent corrosion and strengthens the heater's overall durability, saving homeowners from a premature water heater replacements and/or costly repairs.
To no surprise, sediment buildup can affect water quality. You may notice unpleasant tastes and odors. Flushing removes these contaminants, ensuring clean and fresh-tasting water for household use.
All in all, periodic flushing helps prevent water heater issues, promotes reliable performance, and minimizes the risk of unexpected breakdowns.
Flushing your tank-style water heater is a straightforward process that can typically be completed in a few simple steps. First, switch off the power at the circuit breaker. For gas heaters, set the thermostat to the "pilot" setting. Next, shut off the cold water supply valve typically located near the top of the heater.
Now you can get to draining. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the heater and run it to a suitable drainage area. Open the drain valve and allow the tank to fully drain.
Once the tank is empty, open the cold water supply valve briefly to flush out any remaining sediment. Repeat this step until the water runs clear.
Finally, refill and restart. Close the drain valve, remove the hose, and turn on the cold water supply. Once the tank is full, restore power to the heater and set it to the desired temperature.
If you’d rather leave the water heater maintenance to a uniformed and trained plumber, then call Proline Rooter. We are proud to offer upfront pricing on our plumbing repair service. Call now to speak with a live member of our team.
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