For proper maintanence of a water heater, how often would you flush the water out of it?

Answer 1

If you're using hot water on a regular bais, there should be no need to flush modern water heaters. Most since the mid eighties are designed with a curved inlet that keeps incoming water swirling to prevent sediment from adhering to heating elements. If it's gas, there are no heating elements for sediment to adhere to. There might be a little bit in the bottom of the tank.

If your water heater is not heating properly, you can drain it and pull the heating elements on electric models. If this is the case you might as well install a new element. You have half the work already done. There might be some sediment on them but shouldn't be much. If the water heater is more than 20 years old (dating back to mid eighties) and you're just now replacing elements, be happy it's not leaking, put in new elements and forget about it. If it's in the neighborhood of 10 years old, it's at the end of it's warranty life. If it's a new water heater, it should be fine and not need flushing.

If you have that much sediment in your water supply then consider a filtration system or a water softner. Because more than the water heater is going to be damaged.

My general rule is if it's not leaking and the water is hot, leave it alone.

Answer 2

Mine is gas and has a swirl type inlet that keeps sediment agitated. On electric ones, in hard water areas, I turn off the electricity and pull the lower heating element, after draining the water out. I use a long handled spoon and scoop the sediment out by hand. You'd be surprised at the amount of junk I get out. If you use this method, then about every other year will get it. It will also keep the lower heating element from burning out.

Answer 3

At most once a month at least once a year. You don't need to flush it, just drain a gallon or two out of the valve on the bottom. keep draining until there is no sediment. When you do this it is a good idea to vent/release the high pressure valve for two or three seconds. Look at what comes out of both outlets. sediment is ok, fiberglass insulation is bad.

Answer 4

If you find your household to run out of hot water from time to time, that means that there's a consistant flow of water through the unit. It would not be necessary to flush it that often (once a year).

If your home does not use much water than I would recomend that you do it every other month. If you don't, you'll know by the smell of your water (musty).

Hope that I helped!

Answer 5

Every 5-10 years you should drain it and replace the rod inside it. Check out diynetwork.com for more tips

Answer 6

i've always had the mentality of bleed it twice a year, if you forget, try for at least once a year