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Two Parts:Flushing the HeaterFinishing UpCommunity Q&A
Water heaters should be flushed every one to three years depending on the model and water source. This helps to control the buildup of mineral deposits. Your water heater will operate more efficiently and this will usually extend the life of the heater. Use this guide to flush your water heater.
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Part 2
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Are any additives such as distilled vinegar ever used in the flushing/draining process?
wikiHow Contributor
Acid is used but it is a professional task and the acid used will depend on the construction of the heater.
Can I turn off the cold water valve at the tank and take a shower to drain some of the hot water from the tank before I attach the hose to the drain valve? I just hate to waste all that hot water drown the drain!
wikiHow Contributor
That will not work. When you turn off the cold water valve at the top, then no hot water will flow. The best bet is to turn off the heater (gas or electric) and take a shower. The water will slowly get colder as the hot water is used up and replaced by cold.
I cannot get hot water out of my bathroom sink after going through all of the procedures of draining the gas hot water tank. What can I do to get the hot water back in the bathroom sink?
wikiHow Contributor
Check the line from the water heater to the sink. There maybe something blocking the line, a piece of rust if the water heater has a bit of age on it.
What do I do if the water is hot, but gets cold after a few minutes?
wikiHow Contributor
There are many things it could possibly be. 90% of the time, one of the elements have to be replaced (normally the lower one). Then there is the thermostat, the dip tube, sediment, etc.
Does it harm an electric water heater to run it out of hot water when taking a shower?
wikiHow Contributor
No. The tank automatically refills with cold water as the hot is used, so there is no loss in water volume during this time.
Will flushing the water heater help with low water pressure?
wikiHow Contributor
Probably not. Your hot water pipes are probably obstructed, most likely from the plastic stand pipe inside the heater disintegrating and leaving particles in the pipes. You will either need to replace or repair the water heater and flush out the pipes.
How long should it take to completely drain a water heater?
wikiHow Contributor
Probably around 30 minutes.
Why would a water tank not drain?
wikiHow Contributor
You have closed the cold water intake valve and not opened a hot water sink tap to allow the pressure to drain off and allow air into the top of the tank.Like holding the top of a straw filled with water.
Will flushing a hot water heater get rid of the rotten egg smell?
wikiHow Contributor
You may want to check for sulphur in your water if you are on a well-based system.
What can cause only a trickle of water to come out of agarden hose?
wikiHow Contributor
Sediment may be blocking the drain. Mine was so plugged no water would come out at all, so I used a portable air tank to blow air into the drain hose. Always make sure you have a hot water valve open somewhere.
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