Has it been a long time since you gave your water heater some much-needed TLC? If so, you certainly should consider calling a professional plumber for assistance much sooner than later.
Both traditional and tankless water heaters require regular maintenance to continue operating at peak performance. However, if you have a traditional unit with a storage tank, it’s also important to be aware that the tank should be flushed on a routine basis.
When it comes down to it, there are many reasons why water heaters need to be flushed. Although this simple maintenance task might seem like something you can put off, neglecting it for too long can significantly affect your unit’s performance and longevity. In more detail below, let’s go over why you should flush your water heater.
How Do You Flush a Water Heater?
Many professionals recommend having your water heater flushed at least once a year. This general rule of thumb pertains to both electric and gas water heaters. Of course, it’s understandable if you have some questions. Namely, you might be wondering: how do you flush a water heater, exactly?
Use this guide to find out how a plumber will flush your hot water heater:
Why Should You Flush Your Water Heater?
As a homeowner, it can be easy to forget your water heater exists. Although we all use hot water on a daily basis, many of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about where the hot water comes from or what goes into heating it up. However, just because our water heaters are generally out of sight doesn’t mean we should ignore them entirely.
Let’s review some of the most notable reasons why water heaters need to be flushed.
- Prevent Sediment Buildup
Above all else, you should flush your water heater to prevent sediment buildup. As cold water enters the storage tank to get heated up, it can contain various sediments and minerals. The mineral content in your cold water supply can vary depending on where you live. But, of course, this sediment has nowhere to go — which means it settles at the bottom of the tank.
Unfortunately, sediment collecting at the bottom of the water heater tank can cause many problems. For instance, this sediment can lead to corrosion, which may result in significant leaks. Fortunately, draining your water heater can prevent this sediment from accumulating at excessive levels.
When you open the drain valve to flush the tank, all the harmful sediment and minerals will be rinsed out as well. However, you may need to repeat the flushing process a few times to ensure that all of the debris has been removed.
- Improve Energy Efficiency
One of the reasons why water heaters need to be flushed is that sediment buildup can lead to poor efficiency. As sediment settles at the bottom of your water heater tank, it can cover up the heating element. Because of this, the heating element won’t be able to heat the water properly, as it ends up heating up the layer of sediment instead.
Since your water heater will have to work twice as hard to do its job, it will waste double the energy. As a result, you may notice that your energy bills are higher than they used to be.
When you flush the tank on a regular basis, you can help your water heater do its job without any obstacles getting in the way. This means that the unit will be able to work efficiently, which can bring about lower energy costs.
- Extend Water Heater Lifespan
As we already mentioned, large amounts of sediment inside the storage tank can cause your water heater to work much harder than usual. This excessive wear and tear will take its toll on the water heater, which can result in frequent malfunctions. You may also find yourself needing a Dallas water heater repair or premature replacement.
Perhaps it goes without saying, but you should flush your water heater if you want to get the most use out of it. When you care for your water heater and keep it running as efficiently as possible, this can help it enjoy a long, high-performance life.
Schedule Water Heater Maintenance in Dallas, TX!
“Should you flush your water heater?” Hopefully, you now agree that the answer to this question is a resounding “yes.” There are many reasons why water heaters need to be flushed, and all of them can help you save money, time, and worry in the long run.
At Pure Plumbing, we’re happy to provide maintenance services for gas and electric water heaters. We’re here to assist with all of your needs, from installations and repairs to emergency plumbing in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX. Contact us today to request an appointment with our experts, and let us show you what we can do for you!
