The water heater is an essential part of our home equipment, one that you do not take into consideration until it goes wrong and eventually runs out of water. Whether you are taking a shower, washing the dishes, a lack of water can disorganize your everyday schedule. It is easy to forget your water heaters, but it sometimes needs adjustments to work well. To avoid inconveniences, flushing your water heater yearly is the key.
Emptying your water heater is essential for several reasons. Most importantly, you flush your water heater to remove things such as minerals, dirt, and other sediments that may have developed in the bottom of your water tank. When water enters your house into your main water supply line, it is not perfectly clean. It is common for your water to have combinations of things like magnesium and calcium in it. While these elements are not bad for your body, they can build up, solidify, and even combine with dirt and other compositions, which are natural, turning sediment that builds up in your water heater tank.
Why should I flush my water heater?
A family uses a water heater daily, many times daily. Water has dissolved minerals, which may be trapped in your water heater. They move around the tanker and eventually sit at the bottom.
This block can produce many problems with the heater, like running of water or elements moving in pipes and out of faucets. The residue forms a layer at the bottom of the tank that blocks the heat from reaching the water. It may cause unexpected bursts of water or higher energy bills because the water heater will take time to heat up.
An overused water heater is likely to break down. It has an inner lining to protect the tank from corrosion. When the water heater is operating too much time, the heat and pressure create cracks in this lining. If a cracked tank blasts, severe damage follows.
Why should I flush my water heater each year?
Most families use more amount of water than others. Having annual draining can prevent unexpected increases in the buildup. Houses with one or two people should drain the water heater at least once a year, but more people should do it every six months. It is worth having an expert plumber drain the residue, as they check the water heater for possible damage while they are at it.
What Happens if I Do not Empty My Water Heater?
Having residue and other minerals buildup inside the water heater can cause the system to run harder and cause some severe water heater issues. For instance, if the water deposit has accumulated inside, you can begin to notice it coming from the faucets.
In the long run, it can lead to more dangerous problems, like pipe bursting, low water pressure, or failure of the water tank. These water heater problems tend to take place after a period of two to five years.
Should I Clean My Tankless Water Heater?
The answer is yes! Although tankless water heaters do not store as much water as conventional water tanks, sediment can still build up and need proper cleaning and maintenance.
How do I Clean My Water Heater?
- Shut off the system, whether it is a gas water heater or an electric one.
- Let the water heater cool down before flushing it.
- Close the water supply.
- Switch on the hot water from the nearest tap to deter a vacuum from developing and let the water tank drain easier.
- Connect the hose to the drain valve.
- Flush the water heater tank by removing the drain valve and letting the water flow until it stops; you may need to drain the bucket multiple times during the process. The water can be hot at this stage unless you let the water heater adequately cool down, be cautious!
- Do the procedures once again to make sure to get rid of all residue and sediments.
- Shut off the drain valve.
- Fill the water heater by opening the water supply valve again.
- Turn on the water heater.
You can drain the water yourself at home, but it can be risky if you do not know. If you are not confident in flushing your water heater, call the experts at Lex’s Plumbing to have your water heater emptied. To prolong the lifespan of your water heater, we advise you to have your water cleaned at least once or twice a year. Your professional plumbers from Lex’s Plumbing are always available to attend to any plumbing emergencies and services. We can make sure to drain your water heater fast and at affordable costs. Give us a call now.