Flushing your water heater periodically can extend its expected lifespan. Flushing can help water heaters maintain peak performance and efficiency. Since this often-overlooked appliance is critical to our everyday lives, sustaining it should be a top priority. However, most homeowners don’t realize that flushing their water heating system could have saved them money until it is too late. They find themselves standing in a puddle of water or taking a cold shower and realize that they shouldn’t have prolonged the inevitable replacement of their water heater.
Why Flush?
Your water heater is subjected to a constant flow of water. Over time, sediments and other contaminates within the water will settle in the bottom of your tank. When this material builds up, your water heater’s life expectancy and performance is negatively impacted. This sediment can cause premature tank failure, which can lead to costly home repairs. Periodic flushing of the system removes this corrosive buildup, helping to avoid potential failures.
Another often overlooked benefit of flushing your system lies within your home’s plumbing, fixtures and water system. It doesn’t take a scholar to realize that if your tank is full of sediment and other contaminates, it won’t be long before they travel through your home’s plumbing and wind up in your kitchen. Aside from the damage they can cause to your plumbing fixtures and piping (think blocking, corroding and flow reduction), consuming these contaminates is not good for your health.
What to Expect During a Water Heater Flush
Upon arrival, your plumbing contractor will turn off the tank’s water supply. They will then connect a hose to the drain valve located at the bottom to drain the appliance. After the tank is drained, they should turn the water supply back on. They’ll allow it to run several minutes with the drain valve open to flush the system even further. Once they are convinced the system is void of all sediment, they will close the drain and allow the water heater to refill. Power is restored and you are back in business.
How Often Should You Flush a Water Heater?
Most manufacturers recommend that you flush your water heater about once a year. An added benefit to annual flushing is that your plumbing contractor will have eyes on your water heating system, which could alert him of unforeseen problems. These potential problems could lead to costly home repairs or interrupt your hot water service.
For answers to your questions, contact The Pink Plumber today.
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