Question: I have heard I should drain my water heater to extend its life. How often should I drain my water heater?
Answer: Over time, naturally occurring minerals in the water, as well as sand and grit flushed from municipal water lines, can settle in the bottom of the tank. This sediment build-up can potentially reduce the efficiency and capacity of your water heater. It can also plug the drain and interfere with ongoing maintenance, leading to early failure.
Sediment can interfere with burner efficiency in a gas water heater and can cause cracking and popping noises during heating cycles. Depending on your water source and the mineral content, water heaters should be flushed of sediment every 1-2 years to ensure optimal performance.
To do this turn off the cold water coming into the tank. Turn off the water heater. Open a hot water faucet in a sink somewhere in the house. Screw a garden hose onto the tank outlet and direct the water into the floor drain or into a bucket.
Open the drain valve and allow the water to drain from the tank. Again, the water will be hot, so use caution. Once all water has drained from the tank, briefly turn the cold water supply on to the tank. This will stir up any remaining sediment. Repeat this process until the water runs clear.
As you drain water from the tank you will probably see white or blue sediment being flushed from the tank. I drain one or two five-gallon buckets of water from my tank once a year after the initial full drain. At the end of that time if there is no more sediment being washed out, I stop.
If your heater is eight or more years old and you have never drained water, I would not start. There are probably several inches of sediment in the bottom of the tank. This amount of sediment could clog the drain and make it impossible to close.
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com
