Often times it’s very natural to forget to flush your water heater. But, among tons of chores, it’s ok to forget to do that sometimes. However, flushing your water should be done for the betterment of the equipment itself. Because, it’s an important task since it helps to get rid of the junk and mineral deposits.
These junk and mineral deposits aren’t good for the functionality of your water heater, as they damage the tank and cause premature failure. That is why, try to flush your water heater at least once a year. And, if you have no clue how to flush your gas water heater, don’t worry. We are here with the guidance needed on how to flush that gas water heater of yours.
Steps to be followed-How to Flush Your Water Heater
Steps-I: Turning off:
1. Turn on the water heater’s thermostat to “Off”: The thermostat of your gas water heater should be at the bottom of the tank. Set your thermostat to “PILOT” mode. Or you can completely turn it off. If you do turn it off and you possess an older model then you have to re-light your pilot light.
2. Turn off the gas supply of your water heater: Well, if you have turned the thermostat to “Pilot” mode then you don’t have to follow this step. Rather you have to find the gas pipe that leads to your thermostat and pilot light and turn the valve to the off position.
3. Turn off the cold water supply to hot water heater: You will find the cold water valve near the top of your hot water heater. You should turn it off.
Steps-II: Turning On:
1. Turn on the hot water faucet in a sink or tub: Keep the faucet on during whole flushing process. Because, it should help in preventing vacuum from forming in the lines, while you drain the hot water tank.
2. Open the pressure relief valve: Doing this ensures smooth water flow though it’s not a mandatory step. Besides, it also helps in checking your pressure relive valve. Now, put a bucket beneath the drainage pipe before opening pressure relief valve as water will come flooding out. If water doesn’t come out, then you have a faulty pressure relief valve and you got to replace it. Consequently, let the water that came out after opening the pressure relief valve, to cool down.
Steps-III: Turning On and Reconnect:
1. Connect garden hose to drainage plug: Make sure to check that the other end of the hose leads outside or at least into a bucket.
2. Turn on the drainage plug and drain: Keep draining the tank until water runs clear out of the tank and there are no longer any sediment inside. Because, it is making sure to drain your water tank fully if it has a lot of sediment piled up.
3. Let the flushing begin: To flush the hot water tank, simply turn on the cold water plug that leads to your hot water tank. Till the water that exists from your hose runs clear, let it run for a few minutes. Perhaps, this will take a bit of time. Wait! You must keep flushing till there is little to none sediment in the water. At this point, turn off the cold water plug that leads to your hot water tank.
Putting things back together after flushing done:
When you are satisfied with the clarity of your water, then it is time to putting things back to their initial position.
Steps-I:
- Start by turning off the drainage plug and disconnect the hose.
- Close the pressure relief valve in case you opened it.
- Turn off the water on your sink or tub, which you turned on at the beginning.
- Turn on the cold water plug that leads to your hot water heater.
- After the tank becomes full, open the pressure relief valve to let go off the excess air.
Step-II:
- Turn on the hot water plug of a sink or tub to get the air out of the system. Cold water should come out of the faucet. Now turn it off.
- Turn the gas of the water heater back on, in case you turned it off.
- Re-light the pilot light and turn it back on, in case you have turned the thermostat off on your hot water heater.
- You have to wait almost 20 minutes for the water to heat up.
Propane Tankless Water Heater
Conclusion:
And voila you have the easy task of flushing your gas water heater. It doesn’t seem that difficult, does it? Just make sure to follow the guidance in a step by step manner and your outcome should be just fine. Since, now you know how to flush your gas water, make sure to flush it out at least once a year to keep it safe from any unnecessary damage happening.
More Resource: Flush Your Water Heater