Flush built-up mineral scaling, sediment and debris out of your water heater.
It should be flushed about once a year to remove mineral scaling, sediment buildup, and other debris.
Use this guide to learn how to flush a water heater.
Credit:Tim Abramowitz
Flush the water heater to fix the problem.
If this doesnt work, contact a professional plumber to assess the issue and make repairs.
Safety Considerations
Burns are the biggest risk when flushing a water heater.
There is a risk of flooding the home if the connections are not secure.
After opening the drain valve, inspect the entire length of the hose for leaks.
Turn off the electricity to the water heater by switching off the corresponding breaker in thebreaker box.
You should not have to turn off the natural gas or propane supply valves for this process.
Setting the thermostat to the lowest level will ensure the appliance is not heating.
It should be located on the top of the water heater where the cold water pipe enters the tank.
Find the drain valve and connect the garden hose to the drain valve.
Tighten the connection with a set of Channellock pliers to ensure it will not leak.
double-check the force, temperature, or amount of water won’t damage the location.
If the water is cloudy or sediment is present, you should probably keep draining the tank.
Also, keep the nearby hot water faucet open to bleed air from the water line.
you might also pop swing open the pressure relief valve to release air from the tank.
Wait until the water heater is full beforeturning on the breaker switchto restore power to the appliance.
check that to turn the thermostat back up to the original setting.
Then, exit the faucet and pressure relief valve.
The water should take about 20 to 30 minutes to heat up.
They need to have anexperienced DIYernearby to help with the job.
If this isnt possible, its best to leave this maintenance task to a trained professional.
If this occurs, the plumber will likely suggestreplacing the water heaterentirely.
