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Plumber at Work

How to Flush a Water Heater

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Tools and Materials Needed:

  • Garden hose

  • Bucket (optional)

  • Adjustable wrench or screwdriver (if needed)

  • Gloves (optional)

  • Towel or rags (for any spills)

Tips:

  • Flushing your water heater annually helps prevent sediment buildup, which can reduce efficiency and damage the tank over time.

  • We recommend flushing yearly at a minimum, however water quality will affect how often it should be done. If you have hard water (and no water filter or softener) you may want to flush your water heater more frequently. 

Step 1: Turn Off the Power

  1. Locate the circuit breaker panel.

  2. Flip the breaker switch labeled for the water heater to the “Off” position. This cuts off the electricity to the heater, ensuring safety.

Step 2: Turn Off the Water Supply

  1. Locate the cold-water supply valve at the top of the water heater.

  2. Turn the valve clockwise to close it, which stops water from entering the heater.

Step 3: Connect a Hose to the Drain Valve

  1. Attach one end of a garden hose to the drain valve located near the bottom of the water heater.

  2. Place the other end of the hose in a suitable drainage area, such as a floor drain, outside, or into a large bucket.

Step 4: Open the Pressure Relief Valve

  1. Locate the pressure relief valve, typically found on the side or top of the tank.

  2. Lift the lever on the valve to release pressure inside the tank. This will allow the water to flow out more smoothly when draining.

Step 5: Drain the Water Heater

  1. Open the drain valve by turning it counterclockwise.

  2. Allow the water to flow out through the hose. Be cautious, as the water will be very hot.

  3. If you’re using a bucket, you may need to empty it periodically.

Step 6: Flush the Tank

  1. Once the tank is drained, turn on the cold-water supply briefly to flush out any remaining sediment at the bottom of the tank.

  2. Let the water run for a few minutes until it flows clear, indicating that most of the sediment has been removed.

Step 7: Close the Drain Valve and Refill the Tank

  1. Close the drain valve by turning it clockwise.

  2. Disconnect the garden hose.

  3. Close the pressure relief valve by lowering the lever.

  4. Turn the cold-water supply valve back on to refill the tank.

Step 8: Turn the Power Back On

  1. Once the tank is full and you’ve checked for any leaks, return to the circuit breaker panel.

  2. Flip the breaker switch back to the “On” position to restore power to the water heater.

Step 9: Check for Proper Operation

  1. After a few hours, check the hot water at a faucet to ensure the heater is working properly and the water is heating up as expected.

Optional: Inspect the Anode Rod

  • If you want to take maintenance a step further, consider checking and replacing the anode rod to prevent corrosion. This step requires additional tools and is typically done less frequently.​

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Not Comfortable Doing It Yourself?

If this process seems a little too complex or you're not comfortable handling it on your own, don't worry—Loftin Plumbing is here to help! Our team of experts can quickly and efficiently flush your water heater, ensuring it runs at peak performance. We also offer regular maintenance packages to keep your system running smoothly and avoid costly repairs down the road.

Give us a call, and we’ll handle the heavy lifting for you—your comfort and safety are our top priorities!

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