This article discusses how often you should flush your water heater to avoid bacteria buildup and subsequent plumbing issues. This can be a difficult question for many homeowners, and this article shares the most important factors that will help you decide what is best for your home.
What does it mean if the water heater needs to be flushed?
If your water heater needs to be flushed, sediment, minerals, and other material have built up over time. This can cause the water heater not to work as efficiently. To flush the water heater, you’ll need to turn off the power to the unit, fill a bucket or container with cold water, and let it run until the water is clear.
How long should you wait before flushing your water heater?
It is important to remember that flushing your water heater does not always mean it is time for a replacement. Here are some guidelines to help you determine when it is time for a new one:
-If the water temperature rises above 120 degrees F (49 degrees C):
Add 1 cup of white vinegar to each gallon of hot water and run the tap on full blast for two minutes. This will help clean the inside of the unit. If this does not resolve the issue, replace the water heater.
-If you consistently experience low water pressure or poor cold water performance:
This could indicate debris buildup in your plumbing system, which needs to be cleared. To flush your system, turn off all the valves leading into your home from the public supply and let gravity push all waste products down into your drainage system.
Once all valves have been shut, open each one slowly so as not to create too much noise, and wash all surfaces inside and outside your home’s plumbing with a hose connected to a drain stopper on municipal property.
After completing this step, turn on all taps in sequence, starting with the main valve until you reach the cold water performance level you are satisfied with.
What is the proper way to flush your water heater?
The proper way to flush your water heater is to run cold water through it for two minutes, then turn off the cold water and let the hot water run until it settles.
Proper Water System Guidelines
Water heaters can use 1 to 6 gallons of water per hour. To figure out how often your water heater should be flushed, multiply the gallons per hour by the hours the water heater runs each day. For example, if your water heater uses 3 gallons of water per hour and runs for 8 hours a day, it should be flushed every 4 days.
Conclusion
If you’re like most homeowners, your water heater probably doesn’t get a lot of use. That’s why it may not seem like a big deal when it starts to slow down or stop working altogether. But if your water heater isn’t getting regular flushes of water, it can become dangerous and a breeding ground for bacteria.
