Water heaters are very demanding household residents. They require regular maintenance that will allow them to serve you longer, and you save money on any possible repairs. If you are a tech-savvy person, it is a good deal. Yet, there are those who will definitely need to proceed with finding a contractor. Such a service may deprive you of any technical headache, and have everything done within minutes.
Still, if you want to understand what factors are required to prolong the life cycle of your water heater, this article deals with steps on how to flush a gas water heater. Read more below.
Why Flushing Your Best Water Heater?
Normally, a modern unit has a lifespan of approximately 9 years. Yet, during the time, it may fail in its functions in full, or work poorly. To get rid of any functionality inaccuracies, experts recommend flushing it on a regular basis. First off, flushing organized once per year can help users eliminate sediment build up. Minerals brought by water in the tank can easily solidify and cause poor flow. The sediment is linked to slowing the heat transfer between the heating element and the burner. Then, it can cause blockages. If not removed, your unit will need to work harder, hence consuming more electricity (if you have an electric unit).
How can you understand that sediment is there?
It is actually easy even without finding a contractor. For instance, you come across popping from your heater tank. In simple terms, your water is trapped within the build up of sediment, and it turns into steam. It is all also manifested by rumbling noises.
Then, you can experience a significant drop in temperature or pressure. Sediment is notorious for preventing your water from heating. So, it is like you have mild hot water. With the help of Contractorfinder, you can find a contractor, and take necessary measures to help your water heater survive another few years.
Instructions to Flush Your Water Heater
First off, everything depends on the type of water heater when you look for instructions on how to flush a hot water heater. It can be a gas or electric one. Since gas water heaters are more common, let’s share instructions particularly for them. Yet, the difference will lay only in one thing – with gas, you will need to turn off the gas, while with electric one, you will need to turn off electricity. So, how to flush a gas hot water heater?
Turn Off the Knob on Thermostat
You need to turn off the power on your water heater. The thermostat can be found near the tank bottom. Otherwise, you just need to set it up to a Pilot regimen. Find your household breaker box, and also turn off the switch in charge of powering your unit.
Turn Off Gas
Find the gas pipe that leads to the thermostat and pilot light. So, turn the valve to the position OFF. Yet, if you set the thermostat up to PILOT, you can avoid this step.
Turn Off Cold Water
Find the valve for cold water on the top of your unit.
Turn On Hot Water in Tub
During the whole flushing process, it should run. It works by preventing a vacuum from forming in the lines when you drain the unit.
Connect Garden Hose to Drainage Spigot
Now, you have to link the garden hose to the drainage spigot. Yet, before you turn on the spigot, ensure the other end of the hose leads into a bucker or outside. If you have your unit in the basement, get a portable pump (so that water will pump out to the ground floor).
Turn on Spigot and Drain
Now, you can drain the tank. Wait until the water runs clear and clean. It should come with no sediment. In the event when your unit has lots of sediment or at least you believe so, it may take time.
Flush
You are almost done. To flush the unit, turn on the cold water spigot that leads to your unit tank. Leave it for a few minutes, until there is no sediment.
How long does it take to flush a water heater? It won’t take more than 1 hour if you have a skilled hand.
Finalizing Your Flushing
When finding a contractor, everything is finalized without your participation. However, when you do everything from scratch and alone, ensure to complete the flushing with the next steps:
- Turn off the spigot, and disconnect the garden hose;
- Turn off the water from the tub;
- Turn on cold water spigot, and hot water spigot of a tub to remove air from the system. Then, turn it off;
- Turn on gas if you have previously turned it off instead of PILOT set up. If with Pilot, turn it on;
- Flip the breaker switch on your electrical panel to give the unit power.
That’s it, now wait for a while for your water to be heated.
Now, when everything is fully done, ensure to remember this day by marking it on your calendar, to repeat the same procedure the next year. You do not need to perform it all every month or so. Some people believe that if they do it monthly, it will help prevent sediment, however, it does not work like that but may again negatively affect the functionality of your water heater.
When it comes to instructions on how to flush a tankless water heater, or particularly how to flush a Rinnai tankless water heater, the procedure is the same. Besides, you can find experts’ feedback on adding certain substances to make the flushing better. For instance, adding vinegar to clean it perfectly.
If you still cannot understand how to drain and flush a water heater, please abstain from doing it all but proceed with finding a contractor. The specialists will do it faster, and prolong the lifespan of your best water heater for a few years.
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