Water heater flushing is all part of maintenance and helps increase this essential plumbing appliance’s lifespan. The better you take care of your water heater and fix small problems as they arise, the more money you save. Most homeowners realize this, but very few understand the importance of flushing their water heater once a year. Keep reading to learn more about why you need this service.
Flushing Protects Your Appliance
Water contains trace amounts of minerals and calcium deposits commonly called sediment. While sediment isn’t harmful to you, it’s not great for water heaters. Most people believe that sediment is only present when there is hard water in the home. While it’s true that hard water causes an increase in sediment issues, mineral and calcium deposits can occur in any appliance that water touches. Flushing your water heater once a year gets rid of sediment, which can have a huge impact on the performance of your water heater.
Flushing Saves Energy
When water heater tanks have too much sediment inside, this causes mechanical parts to break down faster. It also makes these parts work harder to achieve the same results. In turn, the extra work your water heater must do to keep your showers warm uses more energy. This added energy adds up over time and results in higher utility bills.
Flushing Keeps Your Water Heater Lasting Longer
Water heaters are not inexpensive appliances. They can cost thousands of dollars depending on the type of heater you purchase and install. Therefore, it makes sense that you want to get as many years out of your water heater as possible. By getting rid of sediment, you extend the life of the mechanical parts and avoid unnecessary repairs. You also avoid premature water heater replacement. Too much sediment in the tank can lead to rusting, which leads to cracks and holes. Once this happens, there’s nothing you can do to save your water heater. Who wants to replace a 5-year-old water heater? Certainly not you.
[IMAGE 2]
How Often Should I Schedule Water Heating Flushing?
Ideally, you should have your water heater flushed annually. If you have hard water, consider flushing the tank twice a year – once every six months. Speaking of hard water, it is a good idea to learn more about water softening and conditioning treatments. As mentioned earlier, hard water is harmful, but it does age your home’s plumbing appliances, pipes, and fixtures quicker. Installing a whole-house water filtration system or a water softener can fix water quality issues and reduce the need for frequent water heater flushing.
How to Flush Your Water Heater
Is this a job for homeowners with few DIY skills? Yes, you can flush your residential water heater yourself. However, it’s always recommended to contact licensed Plumbers for this plumbing maintenance job. Not only do you know the procedure was done correctly, but the plumber has the chance to inspect the entire water heating system. During these inspections, any minor problems can be fixed and set right before any additional damage takes place. Contact your local plumber to schedule water heating services today.
