Step-by-Step Guide to Flush a Water Heater | Plumber in Fort Worth, TX

With the increasing use of water heaters in almost every household around the world, these units have become a necessity for running the day-to-day operations of a house. These water heaters although very convenient, with an approximate lifespan of 20 years, do need maintenance a few times to keep functioning properly.

As per plumber in Fort Worth, TX water heaters need to be flushed at least once in one to three years. The frequency of flush depends on the water source and model. It is necessary to flush these water heating units to wash away any sort of sediment formation that has built up inside its walls. These are the most common in areas where the only supply of water is hard water.

The process of flushing allows the unit to operate more efficiently and helps to extend the life of the heater. In the article below, we have listed down a step-by-step process commonly recommended by the plumber in Fort Worth, TX or anywhere else as a guide to flush a water heater.

Step # 1: Locate the power source

Before you start with the process, you need to first locate the main power source, a fuse box or a breaker box for an electrical heater and a thermostat for a gas heater and turn it off.

To help you find this easily at your place here we have explained what it usually looks like. A fuse box is mostly a small, grey power panel with a door that swings open. This box is attached to a wall and is either located in the garage or the outside of the house. The thermostat, however, is a simple small red knob that is located on the water heater itself. It is on the outside of the heater at the point where the gas pipe enters the unit. This knob has three settings mentioned on it: on, off, and pilot.

Step # 2: Disable the power source

To begin with the process you now need to disable the power source, either the fuse box or the thermostat (turn it to Pilot), which will allow you to stop providing power to the water heater. Plumber in Fort Worth, TX suggests you look for small on/ off switches on the panel of the box which are called the branch circuit breakers. These switches are available for individual items that are running on electricity. Find the one that provides energy to the water heater and switches it off.

In case you do not know the individual switch, locate the main switch labeled ‘Main’ and switch it off. Now while you follow the process the electricity to the entire house will be shut-off for the time being.

Step # 3: Turn off the cold water supply

Before you drain the water out of the heater allow turn off the cold water supply. Plumber in Fort Worth, TX explains there are two types of valves available at or near the cold water inlet pipe; ball valves and gate valves. A ball valve can be easily opened and closed with a 90-degree turn but a gate valve requires many turns until it shuts off completely.

For water heaters that run on gas or liquid propane simply note down the setting at which it currently is and then turns the knob to pilot which is most commonly the lowest setting.

Step # 4: Open the hot water tap

In order to prevent the formation of a vacuum in the water lines so as to keep the water trapped open the hot water faucet either in the sink or the tub. Now allow the water to cleanse the interior walls of the heater to wash away any sort of mineral built up.

Step # 5: Attach a garden hose to the valve at the bottom of the unit

A garden hose is necessary to be attached to the bottom of the water heater which is the drain cock in order to discard all the water that is used for flushing. According to the plumber in Fort Worth, TX you might need to look for this opening as might be hidden under a removable cover. Usually, a drain cock looks like a garden faucet, which is your regular hose bib, or otherwise as a round dial with a threaded hole in the middle.

In the absence of a garden hose, a strong quality large sized bucket can be used for the purpose of collecting the water that needs to be discarded. Plumber in Fort Worth, TX advises you to be extremely careful if you opt for the latter option as the hot water can burn you if handled with neglect.

Step # 6: Extend the hose to a safe place

Once you have flushed the water heater open the drain cock so that the water is allowed to exit from the unit. Make sure that the hose is extended to a driveway or outside drain where the water can flow easily and safely.

As per the instructions provided by plumber in Fort Worth, TX the precautionary measures that you need to take include ensuring that the garden hose is of top quality, the water is being drained in a drain or sump hole, and the hose connection is covered with a rag or towel to prevent any sort of leakage of hot water while the unit is flushing.

Step # 7: Conduct a test run

Once you are satisfied that enough hot water has been drained in the heater to flush it, take a bucket and fill it with still flushing water. Let this water rest for a few minutes so that it becomes undisturbed and settles down. Now take a look at this water.

Plumber in Fort Worth, TX suggest that if the water has particles that have settled to the bottom of the bucket and seems to be cloudy then continue with the draining process but if it is clear then you can stop the process.

Now turn off the water and once all the water has been drained remove the garden hose. Close the drain cock opening and then fill the tank again with water.

The Bottom Line

By following the above-mentioned steps plumber in Fort Worth, TX believes you would be able to clean and flush your water heater with ease and in no time. If you are someone who is planning to follow this process but wants a little bit of guidance then contact Benjamin Franklin right away.

Their team of professionals is well-versed in handling the complex issues and holds great experience in their field. For further assistance call their 24/7 emergency number.