Cleaning hot water heaters is an important step that should be done at least twice a year. This will help to improve the efficiency of hot water heaters and will ensure the effectiveness of hot water heaters. Please see other water heaters how to articles on DIY-HQ.net

WARNING: When cleaning hot water heaters, you risk being scalded by the water. Take extra precautions.

Why Cleaning Hot Water Heaters is Important

Sediment can begin to form inside the water heater which could cause a lot of problems when it settles to the bottom of the tank. At this point, it can harden. In a gas water heater, this can create a buffer between the bottom of the tank that is heated by the gas burner and the water itself. Therefore, the hot water heater will not run efficiently and can start to make noises. If the sediment accumulates, it will clog the drain valve.

In an electric water heater, the sediment will stick to the heating elements and will form a whitish scale. This whitish scale will act as a buffer and will not allow the heat to transfer from the elements to the water. As this whitish scale thickens, the drain valve will clog.

This sediment can be controlled by cleaning hot water heaters. Cleaning hot water heaters will not remove all sediment, but will help to prevent an excessive accumulation of sediment.

Steps for Cleaning Hot Water Heaters

1. Turn power off to the hot water heater’s circuit breaker for an electric heater or main gas line for a gas heater.


2. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the heater. Attach the other end of the garden hose to the nearest floor drain. You can also snake it to the outside.


3. Close shut off valve at the cold water inlet line.


4. The temperature and pressure relieve valve should be opened at the top of the water heater. Open the drain valve and drain the water.


5. When the water stops running, close the drain valve and remove hose. Then close the temperature and pressure relief valve at the top of the heater.


6. Open up a hot water faucet in the bathroom or kitchen. Shut of the valve at the cold water inlet line. The heater will start to fill. You should actually hear it start to fill up.


7. Look for a steady stream of water from the open faucet in the bathroom or kitchen. Turn off the faucet.


8. Turn the power back on to the water heater at the main power source.


9. Check the drain valve to be sure it is tight. Allow the hot water heater to fill and start running.

While cleaning hot water heaters twice a year is enough for most homeowners, it depends on what type of water you have and where you live. If you have hard water, you may need to flush your hot water heater more often. It depends on the hot water usage, the thermostat setting, and the type of water you have.

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Comments (2)

• |2010-07-20 23:33:54 Joseph  - vinegar and h20 mixture as solvent
  Being a maintenance man at a facility I've had the unfortunate experience of brown h20 coming out of a h20 heater that appeared out of no where. So I read somewhere that using a vinegar/ h20 mixture to run through the tank after its drained helps to loosen build-up that builds up on heat elements inside electric h20 heaters. If thats true, how would you go about getting the mixture into the tank? The only way I see is to undo the fill line from the top of the tank and pour it in through there. What you think?
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• |2011-09-26 23:43:56 DM  - HW clean with vinegar
  Greetings, you can do it that way or remove anode and pour it in that way. Removing the anode allows you to check it at the same time and replace if needed. I just drained the tank, poured a gallon of vinegar, and let it sit for a few hours then filled it. It might take an impact socket and air ratchet to remove anode though. Good luck.
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