Should I Flush My Hot Water Tank?
Should I Flush My Hot Water Tank? Yes, flushing your hot water tank on an annual basis can extend the life of the tank, increase its efficiency, and make your hot water cleaner.
There are seven steps to successfully flush your hot water tank:
Turn off the gas or electricity to the tank
Turn off the water supply to the tank
Drain the hot water lines above the tank
Allow the water to cool
Connect a garden hose to the drain spout of the tank
Place the garden hose in a 5 gallon bucket
Open the drain valve on the tank
Cut the gas or the electricity to your hot water tank. For gas tanks locate the gas shutoff, (it is often on the front at the bottom of your tank) and turn it to the off position. For electric tanks locate the breaker for your hot water tank in your electrical panel and turn it to the off position.
Turn off the water supply to your hot water tank. Locate the valve on the fill line above your hot water tank. This will be the cold line that runs into your tank. Turn the valve to the off position.
Drain the hot water lines above the tank. Open a valve above your hot water tank and wait until the water stops flowing. This can be accomplished by going into your bathroom or kitchen and turning on the hot water tap. As long as this faucet is above the tank it should quickly drain out and stop running.
Allow the water to cool. The water in the tank can be very hot. To avoid burns ensure that you have given the water adequate time to cool. 1-2 hours should suffice but we recommend proceeding with caution.
Hook up a garden hose to the drain of the hot water tank. Locate the drain valve on the bottom of the hot water tank. This should look like it fits an ordinary garden hose connection. Attached the garden hose to the valve securely to prevent leaks.
Place the hose in a 5 gallon bucket. You need somewhere for all that water to drain so put the hose in a bucket to hold the dirty water coming out of the tank.
Open drain valve on tank. The water should now start flowing out of the hose into the bucket. When the bucket is ¾ full, turn the drain valve to the off position and empty the bucket. Repeat until the tank is drained.
Once you have completed these steps you can close the drain valve and refill the tank. If necessary you can repeat these steps until the water draining from the tank is clear. Once the water runs clear you can turn the electricity or gas back on (ensuring that if you have a pilot light it is lit).
When you drain the water out of your tank you may notice that it is rusty and discoloured. Rusty water is not dangerous but it is not the most pleasant water to use to wash your dishes or take a shower. Draining your hot water tank will ensure clean water for you and your family. Draining your hot water tank annually is recommended by the manufacturer and will extend the life of the tank. It does this by helping to remove mineral deposits that can affect the integrity and functionality of the tank.
If you have any questions or would like to have this procedure done by a professional please contact us at Next-Gen Plumbing & Heating we would be happy to come take care of this process for you. Thanks and have a great day.
The learn more about this process watch our video