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How To Flush Your Water Heater

How to Flush Your Water Heater for Better Efficiency

Flushing your water heater is an important maintenance task that can extend the life of your unit and improve efficiency. At PR Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning in Fresno, we’re here to walk you through the process step by step. Let’s get started!

1. Turn Off the Heater

For safety, turn off the power to the heater—whether it’s gas or electric. This helps prevent burns and makes it safe to work on the unit.

2. Attach a Hose to the Drain Valve

Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of your water heater. Run the hose to a safe drainage area outside or into a floor drain to avoid water damage.

3. Open the Drain Valve and Flush the Sediment

Open the valve and allow the water to flow out. This step removes sediment that builds up inside the tank over time, which can impact heating efficiency.

3.5. Turn On the Water Supply Briefly

With the drain valve still open, briefly turn the water supply back on to stir up and flush out any remaining sediment from the bottom of the tank.

4. Refill and Restart the Water Heater

Close the drain valve, remove the hose, and turn the water supply back on to refill the tank. Once full, restore power or relight the pilot to resume heating.

5. Check for Leaks and Proper Operation

Inspect the area around your water heater to ensure there are no leaks. Also check that the water is heating as expected once the system is running again.

Call PR Plumbing for Professional Water Heater Maintenance

Flushing your tank once a year can improve performance and extend your heater’s life. For expert service and help with tougher plumbing jobs, call PR Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. And don’t forget to check out our other DIY videos for more helpful home maintenance tips!

If You are Looking for Experienced Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Professionals in Fresno, then Please Call Us Today or Complete Our Online Request Form.