When was the last time you flushed your water heater? If we had to guess your answer, our money would be on “I do not know” or “never!” You should flush your water heater once a year to extend the life and keep functioning properly — but most people do not. What is ‘flushing’? Flushing your water heater is not as simple as flushing the toilet, but the principle is the same. You need to drain the tank of your water heater to get rid of lime and other sediments. Otherwise, the gunk can harden over time and potentially destroy the unit. To flush or not to flush? If you have been in your home for more than a year and have not flushed your water heater, the answer to this question is easy: Time to flush. If you are a new homeowner, knowing when to do your first flush can be trickier. Fortunately, your water heater has ways of telling you maintenance is overdue. To find out whether your water heater needs flushing, stand next to the tank for a while and listen. If you hear what experts describe as “popping,” “banging,” or “rumbling” sounds, sediment is clogging your unit. 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 Time to Flush Your Water Heater!
A Special Thanks to Our Teacher Superheroes
1st/2nd, 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grades — and dual enrollment and AP high school and college courses. Ashley had some truly amazing teachers who shaped the person she is today. Her high school anatomy teacher whispered in her ear one day that she believed Ashley had a great future as a doctor or a career in the medical field. That whisper put Ashley on a focused path to become a physician assistant, from which she has not veered or wavered. Fast forward eight years and Ashley is now in her year of clinical rotations for PA school. We could not be more thankful for the teachers, professors, and clinicians who have poured their knowledge, guidance, and love into her education. Please take a moment to thank a teacher on Oct. 5, World Teachers’ Day. We have many to thank!
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.
–Dennis & Lisa Jones
BREAK LABOR LITERACY MUSHROOM
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 are done! You are safe to return the pressure valve, thermostat, and breaker/gas to their original states. You may need to relight the pilot on a gas water 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. You can always rely on the experts!
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