Mr. Rooter Plumbing explains how to safely drain and flush a water heater to maintain efficiency and extend its lifespan:
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When was the last time you flushed and drained your hot water heater? Hot water is something we all take for granted, until it runs out. A cold shower is a brisk reminder of the importance of water heater maintenance.
Whether you have a tankless or tank water heater, this form of hot water heater maintenance can protect it from the minerals that build up at the bottom, potentially extending its lifespan.
If you suspect that you need to flush your water heater tank, but you’re not sure of the best steps to take, you’re in the right place! This helpful guide can provide insight into how to flush a hot water tank as well as the signs to indicate you should prioritize this task sooner rather than later.
Steps to Drain and Flush a Tank Water Heater
If you’ve noticed something unusual with your water heater or you simply understand the value of regular plumbing maintenance, it’s worthwhile to learn how to drain and flush a water heater tank. While this task is often best handled by trained professionals, confident DIYers may also find the following steps useful.
1. Turn Off the Power and Water
To ensure your safety during the draining and flushing process, turn off the water and power to your water heater. Locate the water shut-off valve and turn the handle clockwise. Next, turn off the power at your breaker panel. If you have a gas water heater, use caution and turn the gas valve to the ‘off’ or ‘pilot’ position.
2. Drain the Tank
Leave the hot water in your water heater to cool down for 1-2 hours, then connect your regular household garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater. At a minimum, you’ll need a 3- to 4-foot piece of garden hose with a fitting compatible with the drain valve at the bottom of your tank. Typically, this is the same as the one on your hose bib.
Ensure the other end of the hose is outside of the house or directed at your basement floor drain. If your water heater is in the basement and the water needs to be drained through a basement window, you will need a pump to ensure sufficient pressure for the water to drain away.
Next, turn on a hot water faucet on an upstairs floor above the water tank and open the drain valve on your water heater so the water drains through the garden hose. Draining a hot water tank can take up to around an hour.
However, you won’t always need to drain the entire hot water tank. Since sediment and buildup settle on the bottom of the tank, you may drain a few gallons of water at a time until most of the sediment is flushed out. This also prevents homeowners from accidentally damaging the hot water heater by turning it on without water. This will also speed up the refill process, which can take a lot of time if the hot water tank is empty.
Tip: Having trouble opening the valve on your water heater? Spray a lubricant like WD-40 onto it and let it sit before trying again.
3. Flush the Water Heater Tank
If you’ve decided to drain all the water from your water heater tank, there will likely be a layer of sediment at the bottom. This also needs to drain through your garden hose. Stir up the sediment by turning the cold water valve on and off a few times. The water hitting the sediment should stir it up and help it drain out. Keep repeating this process until the water is draining clear from the hose.
Tip: Is the drain valve becoming blocked with sediment? Use a wet/dry vacuum to dislodge any obstructions.
4. Refill the Water Heater and Turn It On
When all the sediment is gone, you can put your tank water heater back in action! Open up the cold water valve at the top of the water heater to start the refilling process. You will know it’s full when the tap you left running in your home has started producing a steady flow of water.
Turn the power back on at the breaker panel. If you have a gas water heater, turn the gas valve counterclockwise.
Steps to Drain and Flush a Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters aren’t exempt from hot water heater maintenance. They, too, can experience mineral buildup, putting the heating chamber walls at risk of eroding. That’s why it can be helpful to learn how to flush a tankless water heater. Purchase a submersible utility pump, obtain a bucket, and follow these steps:
1. Turn Off the Power and Water
Turn off the gas or electricity to your tankless water heater. Once there is no power, turn off the water valves connected to the water heater. Doing so stops water from entering and exiting the water heater while you clean it.
2. Remove the Purge Port Valve Caps
Remove the purge port valve caps from the valves positioned on the cold and hot water valves. This will help relieve pressure inside the valves and stop hot water from shooting out while you clean. Ensure the rubber sealing discs in the valve caps remain in place when you remove them.
3. Connect Hose Lines to the Valves and Pump
Attach one hose to the top of your pump and connect the other end to the blue cold water valve on your tankless water heater. Attach the second hose to the red hot water valve and place the other end into an empty bucket.
4. Flush the Water Heater with Vinegar
Pour vinegar into the bucket that has the second hose end, which has the other end attached to the red hot water valve. Place the pump in the bucket and turn it on. The vinegar should pump through the water heater and back into the bucket. Let it pump for around 45 minutes before switching it off.
5. Flush the Water Heater with Fresh Water
Remove the vinegar from the bucket and replace it with two gallons of fresh water. Run the pump in the bucket with the fresh water for a few minutes. Once that process is complete, remove the pump and hoses from the valve ports. Replace the caps on the valve ports and turn both valves back on. Once this process is complete, turn the power and water back on.
Signs You Need to Flush Your Water Heater
Aside from flushing your tank or tankless water heater being a standard preventive maintenance task, many signs can indicate a pressing need.
These signs can mean you need a plumbing professional to drain and flush your tank water heater:
- Popping, crackling, and rattling sounds
- Discolored water
- Higher energy bills
- Insufficient hot water
- Fluctuating water temperature
Contact a local trusted plumber if you notice the following signs related to your tankless water heater:
- Reduced hot water output
- Higher energy bills
- Fluctuating water temperature
- Strange clicking, popping, and crackling noises
- Error codes on the display
- A chalky white residue around pipes and fittings
What Happens If I Don’t Flush My Water Heater?
As time-consuming as tank flushing can be, it’s a crucial hot water heater maintenance task that you should perform at least once a year. If you don’t, you may experience these issues:
- Reduced efficiency
- Decreased hot water capacity
- Leaks and corrosion
- Water heater parts damage
- Extra noise
- Low water pressure
Other Important Water Heater Maintenance Tasks
Keeping your traditional tank or tankless water heater in good working condition can help extend its lifespan. Talk to your local plumbing professional about performing these crucial maintenance tasks:
- Check the water heater and pipes for leaks
- Ensure the water heater is set at the recommended temperature of 120°F
- Inspect the TPR valve for function and safety
- Inspect the anode rod and replace it every 3-5 years
- Insulate the water heater and pipes
- Book a professional inspection annually
Schedule Your Water Heater Flush with Mr. Rooter Plumbing®
Whether you’re experiencing efficiency problems or your water heater is due for its yearly inspection, contact the expert team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing® for assistance. We can drain and flush your water heater and perform comprehensive hot water heater maintenance for your peace of mind. Request a job estimate from your local plumbing team today!
This blog is made available by Mr. Rooter LLC, for educational purposes only to give the reader general information and a general understanding on the specific subject above. The blog should not be used as a substitute for a licensed plumbing professional in your state or region. Check with city and state laws before performing any household project.
