Should You Drain and Flush a Water Heater Yourself?

August 16th, 2018 Posted in Water Heaters
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Your water heater needs regular maintenance to keep it working great and to extend the time before replacement. Like most appliances, it can benefit from regular service to reduce wear and tear on the mechanisms. One maintenance service that should be done annually is a drain and flush of the tank. However, is this a DIY job or should you hire a plumber?

Draining and flushing your water heater tank is important to limit corrosion inside the tank. Minerals can collect in the tank and cause rust and corrosion. This can lead to leaks in the tank and a premature replacement of the water heater, which can cost thousands of dollars. Draining and flushing can remove these minerals and extend the life of your water heater.

You can drain and flush a water heater on your own, but it does take some know-how. There are several hundred gallons of water that must be carefully removed; a wrong move could cause water to flood your home, putting you at risk for water or mold damage. If you decide to attempt this procedure, make sure you research it carefully to ensure you do not cause more harm than good.

Another option is to schedule a tune-up or service for your water heater with a local plumber. Not only can they drain and flush the tank, they can inspect the other components on your water heater. There are many components that can need replacement over the years; proactive replacement can prevent water heater malfunctions and emergency repairs while extending the life of your appliance. If it has been more than a year since your water heater tank has been flushed, call your local plumber and schedule a service.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.
106-M Oakgrove Road
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

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Preventative Maintenance For Your Plumbing

February 20th, 2011 Posted in Plumbing Maintenance
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Plumbing is one of those things that most people take for granted until a problem arises.  However, there are a few things you can do to help your plumbing last longer and to save you money on expensive repairs.

Flushing your water heater annually can help extend its life, save you money on energy costs, and maintain the water heater’s capacity.  Over time, a layer of sediment builds up on the bottom of a water heater.  This sediment makes the water heater work harder to heat the water and takes up space in the tank, reducing its capacity.  In some cases, bacteria grows in the sediment and causes the hot water to smell bad.

Clogged drains are a common source of plumbing problems.  Grease and hair are the two main causes and keeping grease and hair out of your drains will go a long way toward keeping them trouble free.  Consider installing a screen over shower drains to limit the amount of hair that goes down the drain.  Drain screens are available at your local home improvement store.

Most grease goes down the kitchen sink drain.  First, Pour or scrape grease into a jar and dispose of it in the trash.  Some grease will still make its way down the drain, so be sure to use plenty of hot water and soap when washing the dishes.  Also, you can help keep your drains flowing freely by pouring hot, soapy water down the drain on a regular basis.  Avoid using caustic chemicals as these can harm the insides of your pipes.

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