Flushing Away Your Water Heater Woes

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

Attention East Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, homeowners: your toilet is not the only appliance that needs flushing! The water heater is a commonly neglected home utility. When showers run hot, the average homeowner doesn't consider the necessary maintenance. However, being proactive and performing a yearly water heater flush can help you avoid costly repairs and extend the appliance's life. Here are five easy steps to get the job done.

1. Shut it Down

If the unit runs on gas, extinguish the pilot light by turning the gas off. If the heater is electric, cut the power to the unit by switching off the corresponding circuit in the home's breaker box.

2. Follow Your Hose

With work gloves on, attach a heavy-duty garden hose to the heater's drain valve and run the remaining hose line out of the house. Warm water and sediment will evacuate the hose, so choose the hose end location carefully.

3. Let it Flow

Drain the water heater tank by opening the drain valve and releasing the water. After a few minutes, run hot water from the kitchen faucet to expedite the draining process. Next, turn off the water supply valve until the draining slows to a stop. Open the water supply valve once more to complete a thorough flush, then close it again.

4. Fill it Up

Ensure the drain valves are closed and turn the water supply on to refill the tank. The open kitchen faucet will begin trickling and sputtering water slowly as the air bubbles are purged from the tank. Once a full stream of water is flowing, the tank is full.

5. Restore Power

Turn on the unit's power and heating element. Do not execute this step until the tank is full or heater damage may occur. Lastly, turn off the kitchen faucet.

Considering how simple it is to complete this often-overlooked maintenance task, performing it yearly can avoid a water heater malfunction resulting in a flooded home and the need for water damage repair.