Water Heater Flush
Water heater manufacturers recommend flushing sediment from your storage type water heater periodically. How often your model needs to be flushed depends upon the quality of the water in your area.
Areas with high mineral content will have to flush more often.
Walker Plumbing recommends that your water heater be flushed once a year at a minimum. If you have really hard water, you might want to consider flushing your water heater twice a year.
What is sediment, and why is it a problem?
The sediment is sand or other grit from a well, or any other material that has gotten into the municipal water mains. Sediment can also come into your home after the water company flushes out their lines.
If you have noticed bad odors coming from your water; smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, it could be bacteria inside the hot water holding tank.
Over time, your heater can accumulate this sediment consisting of sand, gravel, grit, and various mineral deposits. This buildup can reduce the amount your water heater holds, create a variety of interesting noises, and reduce the efficiency of your unit. The buildup of sediment at the bottom can harden and sometimes clog the drain valve.
