Flush Water Heater
Why It Matters
Sediment buildup reduces heating efficiency and can cause premature tank failure, leading to a costly emergency replacement.
Quick Guide
- 1
Gather your tools and materials
You'll need: Garden hose, Bucket. Materials required: necessary materials.
- 2
Perform the flush water heater
Drain sediment from your water heater tank to maintain efficiency. Safety note: Water is very hot - use caution.
- 3
Verify and clean up
Check that the work was completed correctly and clean up your workspace. If if you smell gas or see rust-colored water, consider calling a professional.
Tools & Materials
Tools
- Garden hose
- Bucket
Community Tips
Turn off the water heater's power supply at the breaker before beginning the flush, and allow 2-3 hours for the tank to cool to a safe temperature—touching the drain valve or nearby pipes on a freshly heated tank risks severe burns that require immediate medical attention.
Sediment buildup typically settles in the lower 6-12 inches of the tank, so open the drain valve slowly and let water run into a bucket for 2-3 minutes until the stream clears, indicating lighter sediment has been flushed out and the heater's heating efficiency has been partially restored.
A Camco Brass Garden Hose Drain Valve ($12-18) screws directly onto most water heater drain valves and connects standard garden hoses, eliminating spill-prone bucket transfers and allowing you to run discharged water safely toward a floor drain or outside without manual handling. ---