Thomas J. Fannon & Sons

Water heaters are essential to our lives as they provide hot water for daily use. It can be a major inconvenience when they malfunction or stop working altogether. One way to help keep your water heater running smoothly is by flushing the tank. This process will remove any built-up sediment and restore efficiency in the system so you can enjoy warm showers and baths. Water heater and air conditioner specialist Thomas J. Fannon & Sons explains below how to do it.

Shut off the Power/Gas

The first step in flushing a water heater is to shut off the power or gas supply. If your water heater runs on electricity, switch off the circuit breaker that supplies power. If your system uses natural gas or propane, turn off the valve at its source. 

Shut off the Water Supply

Next, you’ll want to shut off the water supply to your water heater. Typically, this is done by turning a valve near the tank’s top. Once that has been accomplished, open up all of the hot water taps in your home so that any remaining pressure can be relieved from within the system. 

Open the Drain Valve

Now, it’s time to open the drain valve at the bottom of your water heater. This will allow any sediment that has built up inside the tank to be released into a bucket or container below. If you don’t have a drain valve, you can attach a hose directly to the tank and route it outside where the debris can be disposed of properly. 

Turn on the Hot Water

Once the drain valve has been opened, turn on a hot water tap to allow cold water to flow into the tank. This will help push any remaining sediment out of the system. Keep an eye on your bucket or container as it fills up with debris, emptying it when necessary. 

Flush the Tank

When the water heater tank has been drained and all of the sediment removed, it’s time to flush out any remaining debris. To do this, turn off the hot water tap and close the drain valve before turning on a cold water supply line. This helps push any remaining particles out of the system while refilling it with fresh water. 

Refill the Tank

Once the tank has been flushed and filled with fresh water, you can turn off the cold water supply line. At this point, it’s a good idea to check for any leaks or other signs of damage that may have occurred during the flushing process. If everything looks okay, turn on the power or gas supply so that your water heater can start heating up again.

Turn off the Water Supply

Doing this will help prevent any further sediment from entering the system. And as trusted water heater and indoor air quality professionals, we recommend doing it to conserve energy as your tank won’t have to heat a large amount of cold water. 

Turn on the Power/Gas

Once you’ve done this, you can turn on the power or gas supply, and your water heater should begin to work again. At this point, it’s a good idea to check for any further signs of damage that may have occurred during the flushing process. If everything looks okay, then you’ve successfully flushed your water heater.

Benefits of Flushing a Water Heater

Flushing your water heater can help to restore efficiency in the system and will also extend its life. By removing sediment from the tank, you’ll reduce wear and tear on components and decrease energy costs associated with heating large amounts of cold water. Regularly flushing your water heater is a great way to ensure that it continues providing hot water for many years.

If your water heater needs a flush or has any other problems, contact the experts at Thomas J. Fannon & Sons in Alexandria, VA, at (703) 549-5700. Our team of qualified professionals can help to assess the situation and determine the best solution for your water heater. We also offer quality ductless split systems for any kind of home or business. Just reach us online to get started!