Hot Water Heater Spring Flush

Did you know that in the winter your hot water heater works harder than any other time of the year?  Flushing it in the spring will remove sediment build-up.  Sediment in your hot water heater can cause corrosion, shortening the life of your unit.  It also reduces efficiency which can mean higher energy bills year round.  Follow these simple steps to flush your hot water heater. 

 

1. Turn down the temperature and wait 2 or more hours for the water in the tank to cool
2. Turn off the water supply

3.  Attach a hose to the bottom drain valve on the water tank

4.  Run the hose to a drain, or outside of the house
5.  Turn on a hot water faucet in the house (kitchen or bath) to allow air into the top of your tank
6.  Open the drain valve on the water tank
7.  After the water has completely drained, turn the cold water supply on and several times to flush the sediment from the tank, then leave on
8.  Check the water draining from the tank to see if it's clear
9.  When the water draining is clear, turn off the cold water supply
10.  Wait for water to stop draining then close the drain valve
11.  Disconnect your hose
12.  Turn off the hot water faucet used to allow air into the tank
13.  Turn on cold water supply
14.  Turn the thermostat back to 120 degrees   

By doing some regular maintenance, a homeowner can extended the life and efficiency of their hot water heather.  While it is best to leave serious problems to a professional plumber, a few easy steps can save you from costly repairs.

 

That's all for today. You'll find a transcript of this podcast at http://freehousehelp.libsyn.com.  Remember, if you an idea or a question, email [e-mail].