You must drain your water heater throughout the year. By flushing the tank, the unit will be much less likely to malfunction. Without regular maintenance, it’s possible you may have cold water flow out of your pipes on occasion.
When Maintenance Is Needed
According to experts, an average water heater requires maintenance every 12 months. However, you can find specific recommendations in your water heater’s owner’s manual.
Typically, if a home has one to two residents, the water heater should be inspected every six months and drained every 12 months. A water heater that operates in a home that has three to five residents will need an inspection each season, and the tank should be flushed every other season.
Maintenance Procedures
Read the instructions and labels on your water heater carefully. Then, determine if the unit is gas-powered or electric. Gas-powered water heaters have complex components, so do not implement any maintenance procedures without first completely reviewing the owner’s manual.
Next, turn off the water that flows to the water heater. The valve is found on the top of the unit.
If you have an electric water heater, you must turn off the power by moving a fuse in the circuit breaker box. Do not skip this step because the electricity could fry the element. If you have a gas-powered unit, turn off the gas that runs to the water heater.
At this point, you must attach a hose to the unit. Use a strong, quality product because hot water may damage a hose that is made out of cheap material.
Because the water will be very hot, children should stay away from the water heater during the draining process. To prevent a serious injury, unplug the unit and give the liquid time to cool down.
To release the water, open the water heater and use the pressure release valve. The valve is located on the top of the unit. In most cases, the container will completely drain within 30 minutes. However, the amount of dirt and debris in a tank can increase the drainage time.
After the tank is empty, ensure that the pressure release valve is functioning correctly. For this task, review the instructions in the maintenance manual. If the valve does not pass the test, call a local plumbing company like Capital Care.
Finally, detach the hose from the spigot and close the release valve. Then, turn the water on by rotating the water valve. When the water heater tank is full, restore power to the unit.
Other Routine Maintenance Considerations
Although many water heaters have anode rods that prevent corrosion, deterioration will occur if the rods weaken. When anode rods are faulty, the material will be very flexible. Poor rods must be replaced immediately because they will put the device at risk.
Conclusion
Overall, regular maintenance can lower your energy costs dramatically. When a water heater ages, the components develop problems, and these flaws decrease efficiency by making the heater work harder. If you hire an experienced plumber like us, we can help you correct small problems before they become big issues.
The post Water Heater Series: When and How to Flush Your Water Heater? appeared first on Capital Care Plumbing.