How do you flush a water heater? First, grab a gardening hose and a shop vac. Then, turn off your water heater’s thermostat and the breaker (for an electric heater) or gas (for a gas heater). Turn off the cold water supply to the water heater. When everything is off, head to a sink and switch on the hot water. Leave the water running and go back to your water heater. Open the pressure release valve and screw your hose onto the spigot at the bottom of the water tank. Put the other end of the hose near a drain, into a bucket, or outside. Then, open the spigot to start draining your water heater. (You may need to vacuum out sediment if your hose clogs.) Finally, turn the cold water back on and run it through your water heater until the water leaving the hose runs clear. You’re done! It’s safe to return the pressure valve, thermostat, and breaker/gas to their original states. It may be necessary to relight the pilot on a gas heater. If this process seems too intimidating or your system is different from what is described here, call your plumber and schedule a professional draining. There’s no shame in relying on the experts!
When was the last time you flushed your water heater? If we had to guess your answer, our money would be on “I don’t know” or “never!” You should flush your water heater once a year to extend its life and keep it functioning properly — but most people don’t. What is ‘flushing’? Flushing your water heater isn’t as simple as flushing the toilet, but it’s the same principle. You need to drain the tank of your water heater to get rid of lime and other sediments. If you don’t do this, the gunk can harden over time and potentially destroy the unit. To flush, or not to flush? If you’ve been in your home for more than a year and haven’t flushed your water heater, the answer to this question is easy: It’s flush time. If you’re a new homeowner, it can be tricker to know when to do your first flush. Fortunately, your water heater has ways of telling you maintenance is overdue. To find out whether your water heater needs flushing, stand next to it for a while and listen. If you hear what experts describe as “popping,” “banging,” or “rumbling” sounds, sediment is clogging your unit.
IT MIGHT BE TIME TO FLUSH YOUR WATER HEATER This Is How You Do It!
RESHAPE YOUR SMILE The Benefits of Cosmetic Recontouring
Few of us are naturally blessed with perfect teeth. There are too many things that could go wrong. Some people experience pain, infection, or decay. And even those with healthy teeth may find them aesthetically lacking. Smiles grow crooked or crowded, and many others become chipped or stained. There are even people displeased with the shape of their teeth. Fortunately for this last group, a simple solution exists. It’s called cosmetic recontouring, and it has the potential to reshape your smile — literally. Cosmetic recontouring is a noninvasive procedure that allows your dentist to change the shape of any particular teeth that make you unhappy. The process can buff away small chips and create a less harsh tooth edge. Many people seek out recontouring because they think their teeth are too pointy. And others want to even the length of their teeth across their smile.
Before exploring the procedure, your dentist will first want to confirm your teeth are healthy. In our office, Dr. Maddahi then uses cosmetic imaging software to show patients the projected outcome of the recontouring process. This step ensures everyone knows what to expect before making any permanent changes. Patients suitable for recontouring will not need anesthesia because the procedure is painless. Depending on the particular goals and the dentist’s preferred techniques, they may use sanding, drilling, or lasering to complete the recontour. They all work to remove small amounts of enamel from your teeth until they form the desired shape. While each alteration is tiny, several together can create a big impact. But it’s important to note that the procedure is best for only minor adjustments. Removing too much enamel is dangerous to your teeth and can result in
decay or sensitivity. So, dentists must take a conservative approach. Patients who want more extensive changes to their smiles will need other procedures to secure their desired results. But for the right candidates, cosmetic recontouring can quickly revolutionize the appearance of their smiles and how they see themselves. And because the procedure is noninvasive, it’s significantly more affordable than many other cosmetic interventions. If uneven, chipped, or misshapen teeth affect your self-confidence, we’d love to review your options in a consultation. Call our office today!
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