Expelling Sediment From The Bottom Of Your Water Heater

Sediment made of mineral deposits can build up in your water heater over time. If you have hard water, these sediments accumulate even faster. If you do not request certain water heater services, those sediments can destroy your water heater. So, how does a plumber expel sediment from inside the water heater? It is a tricky process, and it goes something like this.

Draining the Water Heater

This service is actually completed once a year, or should be. There is a spout or spigot found at or near the bottom of your water heater. There is also a valve you will need to turn to open the spout or spigot. You also have to turn the water heater off for this process so that the water heater does not register a lack of water in the tank and keep trying to refill what is being drained. Now you can safely drain the entire tank, but be aware that this is tens of gallons of water! You will need to help drain the water toward a floor drain, or connect a drain hose to empty into a bucket. 

You Know You Have Drained the Water Heater Correctly When...

You will know that you have effectively drained the water heater when the water starts turning yellow, and then rust orange or dirty gray. This is the water that has come all the way down to the sediment layers on the bottom of your water heater. As the drain suction continues, more of the sediment will follow the draining water out of the spout/spigot of the water heater. You may not get all of the sediment out initially, but you can repeat this process every time after the tank has refilled itself. Then you should have cleared plenty of sediment, and the water draining off should almost be clear.

Different Steps for Different Water Heaters

You should also be aware of the fact that the sediment removal process is different for water heaters operating via gas, propane or electric. All of these have different steps that your plumber needs to take in order for the sediment in each type of water heater to be removed properly. If you want to DIY this procedure, you can. You just have to have all of the right equipment and you have to be absolutely certain that you know exactly which set of steps you will need.

Contact a service, like Mr. Plumber, for more help.