How To Flush A Domestic Hot Water Heater

This video describes the steps to flush a domestic hot water heater.
Flushing a hot water heater occasionally (say every year or two) can increase the lifespan of the hot water heater and possibly minimize mineral content in the water.
It is relatively easy to do. This video describes the steps for an electric hot unit but the steps are similar for a gas fired hot water heater.
I also reference exercising the pressure relief valve and suggest using a water/moisture monitor on the floor next to the hot water heater to sense any leaks. Sooner or later, the hot water heater will fail and if not noticed early, the consequences can be disastrous, especially if you have a finished basement .

[@darrentracy7297]

@Blitzhack. It had been 3 years. The replacement unit was 3 years old and it had not been flushed since installation. Yes, it would’ve been nice to see how much sediment was in the tank. I didn’t think to check that mainly because we were having trouble getting the hose to drain because there was ice in it and that was my focus. The sediment might have co-mingled with the water in the hose anyway, diluting it. Would need to check with a clean empty hose and drain into a clean pail for best analysis. Regardless, if this water was nasty, yours may not be because the sediment is largely a function of the water source. Thanks for writing!

[@BlitzHack]

Good video. I would of liked to know how long since your last flush and what the flush water looked like coming out of the tank.

[@RandomDudeOne]

I have water detectors in the basement and under every sink in the house. I think they are a great idea. I recommend them to people but they always look at me like I'm crazy.

[@darrentracy7297]

It’s more crazy to not have one, particularly if you have a finished basement. I have seen the damage done by a leaking hot water heater. Thanks for the comment.

[@darrentracy7297]

@Bradw5991 Thanks for your comment. Most mfg’s suggest flushing including Reliance and AO Smith. www.hotwater.com/info-center/water-heater-maintenance.html They rust out somewhere, probably at the welded connections as you noted. Flushing occasionally may help with that. May help with efficiency too, particularly with gas models. I do know that we have had several water heaters start leaking earlier in their lifespan than I would like to see and in some cases that has resulted in significant damages.

[@bradw.5991]

Unfortunately, in your case of flushing an Electric Hot Water Heater does not extend the life of your water heater. All Domestic water heaters are Glass lined. When the glass lining fails, the water touches the steel tank and eats away the steel causing it to eventually leak. How does the Glass lining fail. On Electric water heaters, it doesn't and sediment doesn't eat it away. On Gas fired units the heat source heats the bottom of the tank, and after a while if sediment is allowed to build up on the bottoms of those tanks, it will act as an insulator and overheat the bottom of the tank allowing the Glass lining to 'melt' thus allowing water to eat away at the steel tank. On Electric models, the heating elements are mounted on the sides with the lowest element more than 12 inches from the bottom of the tank, so there is no way the heating elements could ever 'melt' away the glass lining from overheating. Most Electric Hot water heaters fail around the welds at the water connections where there is no glass lining.