The contents of your water supply eventually become the contents of your water heater. Here in Terre Haute, our municipal water contains 18 to 22 grains per gallon (gpg) of dissolved minerals. Anything above 10.5 gpg is considered very hard water. While mineral content poses no health hazard and actually improves drinking water, it’s hard on water heaters. When heated, dissolved mineral content precipitates and sinks to the bottom of the tank, forming a sediment layer that deepens over time. Here’s why that is a problem:
- The sediment layer blocks heat from the burner flame, causing the burner to run increasingly longer cycles to heat water to the proper temperature. Energy consumption increases and you may notice your water heating costs steadily climbing.
- The extended, excessive burner heat tends to degrade the water heater tank as sediment triggers internal corrosion. Leakage often ensues, and early replacement of the entire heater is the only option.
Flushing the tank annually purges loose sediment before it hardens and becomes permanent. Here’s how to do it:
- Turn off the heater at the gas valve and shut the cold water inlet valve on top of the heater.
- Attach a garden hose to the drain tap near the bottom of the tank. Place the other end of the hose outdoors to discharge water.
- Open the drain valve and verify that water is discharging from the other end of the hose. Hold open the handle of the pressure relief valve on the tank to admit air into the tank and speed draining.
- After the tank is empty, open and close the cold water inlet valve several times, in short spurts, to flush any remaining sediment from the tank bottom.
- Close the tank drain valve and disconnect the hose.
- Open the cold water inlet valve and follow manufacturer’s instructions to turn the heater back on and re-light the pilot (if necessary).
Ask the experts at Paitson Bros. about professional service to extend the life and efficiency of your water heater. We've served Wabash Valley since 1922.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Terre Haute, Indiana about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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The post You Need to Flush Sediment from Your Water Heater Annually appeared first on Paitson Bros. Heating Blog.
