Hot water tanks are responsible for heating your home’s water, so it’s important to know when to flush them to keep them clean and operating at their best. A clean tank not only keeps your water clean but also makes sure that you don’t end up with a potentially nasty surprise in your home. You may flush your hot water tank when you change the heater itself or when you replace the tank itself. Either way, flush your hot water tank periodically to help maintain its cleanliness and performance. A properly maintained hot water tank not only keeps your water clean but also helps in preventing pipe blockage and scaly build-up in pipes that could lead to leaks.

How often do you need to flush your hot water tank?

Flushing your hot water tank is an important part of maintaining it. You should flush your tank once a year, or more often if you notice scaly build-up in your pipes. Scaly build-up can occur when minerals in your water build up on the inside of your pipes. To flush your tank, shut off the water supply to it and then open a faucet in a nearby location. Let the faucet run for about 15 minutes to allow any remaining water in the tank to be discharged.

Why should you flush your hot water tank?

A clean hot water tank helps to ensure that you have clean water in your home. Scaly build-up on the inside of your pipes can restrict your water flow or even cause blockage, which can result in messy water and a costly repair. To keep your tank clean and avoid scaly build-up, you should flush your tank once a year, or more often if you notice scaly build-up in your pipes. The water inside your tank may also become scummy and smell worse over time. This may be due to bacteria growing inside the tank, so you should flush your tank if it smells bad.To flush your tank, shut off the water supply to it and then open a faucet in a nearby location. Let the faucet run for about 15 minutes to allow any remaining water in the tank to be discharged.

Why should you avoid flushing your hot water tank after a big rainfall?

If you have a large amount of rainwater in your hot water tank and then flush it, you may end up with cloudy water and a scummy tank. This may be due to rainwater being slightly more acidic than your water. This may be caused by pollution in your area or by your home’s soil being slightly more acidic than normal. If you’ve had a lot of rain recently, wait until the next scheduled flush to flush your tank. If you do flush your tank after a big rainfall, you may find that your water is cloudy for up to a month. This is usually normal if you’ve had a lot of rain recently.

What does a hot water tank flush look like?

To flush your hot water tank, shut off the water supply to it and then open a faucet in a nearby location. Let the faucet run for about 15 minutes to allow any remaining water in the tank to be discharged. Your tank may also be equipped with devices that allow you to flush it manually. If your tank has these devices, follow the instructions provided.

How do you know when to replace your hot water tank?

To replace your hot water tank, shut off the water supply to it. Then, remove the tank’s access cover and inspect the inside of the tank. Look for signs that the tank may need replacing. Signs that a tank may need replacing include an increase in water temperature, a change in the sound of the water flowing through the tank, and an increase in scale build-up on the inside of the tank. If you notice these signs, replace your tank.

Conclusion

Hot water tanks are critical to maintaining your home’s plumbing, so it’s important to know how to maintain them. You should flush your hot water tank once a year, or more often if you notice scaly build-up in your pipes. To flush your tank, shut off the water supply to it and then open a faucet in a nearby location. Let the faucet run for about 15 minutes to allow any remaining water in the tank to be discharged.

Frequently Asked Question

While you technically can install a hot water heater yourself as a homeowner, the likelihood that this is a good or safe idea is very slim. Trust the professionals with your hot water heater installation to make sure it's done correctly. You wouldn't want to cause yourself or your family any harm.
The higher cost is a result of a more labor-intensive set-up, as new gas and water lines are required for installation. For a new tankless water heater, new electric wiring will need to be installed.
Turn off all water supplies in the house. Turn on all the hot water faucets in the house in order to drain what is left in the existing hot water heater. Then, disconnect the water line that connects the water heater to the rest of the house. There is often a connection on a hose that you can simply unscrew.
  • Your older water heater is getting up there in age
  • It's making strange noises
  • You're getting rusty water out of the tap
  • Your hot water doesn't last as long as it used to
  • There are water puddles around the unit
120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting. Most experts agree that anything below 120 degrees creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater from stagnant water, such as legionella that causes Legionnaire's disease.
These heaters can be fueled by electricity, gas, or liquid propane and installed in many areas of your home. The national average cost to replace a 50-gallon hot water heater is $1,100 to $2,800, with most people paying around $1,800 for a direct replacement of a 50-gallon gas hot water heater using the same model.
  • Your older water heater is getting up there in age
  • It's making strange noises
  • You're getting rusty water out of the tap
  • Your hot water doesn't last as long as it used to
  • There are water puddles around the unit
These heaters can be fueled by electricity, gas, or liquid propane and installed in many areas of your home. The national average cost to replace a 50-gallon water heater is $1,100 to $2,800, with most people paying around $1,800 for a direct replacement of a 50-gallon gas hot water heater using the same model.
Turn up the thermostat on the hot water heater. One of the easiest ways to make a hot shower last longer is by using less hot water while it's at a higher temperature. To do this, turn up the temperature on the thermostat that's attached to the hot water heater tank. (Not the thermostat on the wall.)