Flushing electric water heater??

[GreggC69]

I can't recall a time in the past that I have had a water heater flushed. We have lived throughout the United States (different climates) and have had both electric and gas water heaters. I have never had one flushed. Curious if others do and if so, how often. Thanks.

[retiredguy123]

The Rheem manual does not recommend flushing the water heater. And, even if you wanted to "flush" it, you couldn't do it because it only has a tiny drain valve. You can drain the water out, but actual flushing is not possible.

[Babbs1957]

We did ours in our other home due to being on a drilled well. They would say grit and metals building up eats away at base of bladder. I try to remember to do it once a year. Can't hurt and zero cost.

[jrref]

If you have an electric heater and live here in the Villages, you really don't need to flush. You can if you want but not necessary. If you have a gas tank heater, then it pays to flush because over time sediment will accumulate at the bottom of the tank partially insulating the heat from the gas burner. Over time, your heater will be running more and more inefficient do to the buildup of sediment. As far as the sediment clogging the drain. Yes this can happen but you or your HVAC tech can unscrew the drain and replace it with a larger drain that won't clog. That said, if you have an old gas tank heater, leave it alone. If you have a relatively new gas tank heater then you can drain it once a year without any issues. If you have a whole house water filter, even better, less sediment.

[retiredguy123]

I would just point out that a standard electric water heater costs less than the regular electric oven, dishwasher, or other appliances in your house. I don't do any maintenance on my water heater because it is very easy and inexpensive to replace when it fails after 10-15 years or so. I certainly wouldn't pay someone to perform preventive maintenance on it.

[Boffin]

To each their own. I flush it once per year and clean it and replace the anode once every five years.

[shut the front door]

I would just point out that a standard electric water heater costs less than the regular electric oven, dishwasher, or other appliances in your house. I don't do any maintenance on my water heater because it is very easy and inexpensive to replace when it fails after 10-15 years or so. I certainly wouldn't pay someone to perform preventive maintenance on it.

Funny you mention this. I had an hvac contractor at my house (NOT MUNN'S or FRANK GAY!) and we were talking about service contracts and his words were "Don't ever let anybody try to sell you any kind of service contract on a water heater!"
For the exact reason that you mention. Sadly, many elderly fall for it and the con artists around here bank on that.

[mtdjed]

I have a 50-gallon water heater that is 19 years old. As a previous post mentioned, the heating burner is on the bottom, and any build up inside can affect the heating process. After about 10 years, I started hearing a rumbling noise soon after the burner turned on.

I decided to drain the tank and, in the process, replace the drain valve. The previous valve did not allow for quick drainage. Replaced it with a brass Ball Valve.

What I found in draining was a layer of a milky white slurry at the bottom most portion of the tank. That was what was causing the rumbling sound. This slurry almost looked like a thin oat mill and was likely a calcium slurry.

In any event, the water heater worked without the rumbling after that.

While a previous poster stated you wouldn't have an operational problem with an electric water heater, I would suggest that same slurry would be in the tank. I can recall having an electric water heating elements in the past that had two heating elements, one at the bottom and one much higher. The bottom one failed. I would presume that electric water heaters accumulate a similar slurry. Even though that slurry accumulates in the bottom, it likely gets agitated and floats about and finds its way to your spigot.

[bowlingal]

i had mine drained in June. Munn's did it and recommends draining 1x a year. Some people do it and some don't. I feel it can't hurt and certainly can help

[MandoMan]

:gc:I have a 50-gallon water heater that is 19 years old. As a previous post mentioned, the heating burner is on the bottom, and any build up inside can affect the heating process. After about 10 years, I started hearing a rumbling noise soon after the burner turned on.

I decided to drain the tank and, in the process, replace the drain valve. The previous valve did not allow for quick drainage. Replaced it with a brass Ball Valve.

What I found in draining was a layer of a milky white slurry at the bottom most portion of the tank. That was what was causing the rumbling sound. This slurry almost looked like a thin oat mill and was likely a calcium slurry.

In any event, the water heater worked without the rumbling after that.

While a previous poster stated you wouldn't have an operational problem with an electric water heater, I would suggest that same slurry would be in the tank. I can recall having an electric water heating elements in the past that had two heating elements, one at the bottom and one much higher. The bottom one failed. I would presume that electric water heaters accumulate a similar slurry. Even though that slurry accumulates in the bottom, it likely gets agitated and floats about and finds its way to your spigot.

The sediment/precipitate settles because it is heavier than water, a bit like sand, it doesn’t generally swirl around. The flame from a gas burner heats the water at the bottom amid the sediment faster than the water above the sediment and can make it boil faster and “burp,” giving that popcorn sound. Putting a short hose on the drain valve and letting it run out to your driveway or wherever MAY get rid of this precipitate. As with washing away sand with a stream of water, it can take quite a blast of water to get it out. So often the sediment doesn’t all come out. It works quite well if you flush it yearly, but less well if you don’t.
“Sediment, a combination of minerals, rust, and other particles, accumulates at the bottom of water heaters. This buildup occurs because water, especially "hard water" containing calcium and magnesium, carries these substances in solution. When water is heated, these minerals precipitate out and settle at the bottom of the tank.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Hard water:
Water with high mineral content, particularly calcium and magnesium, is known as hard water.
Heating Process:
When water is heated, the solubility of these minerals decreases, causing them to separate from the water and settle as solids.
Settling:
These heavier particles, including rust, sand, and other debris, sink to the bottom of the tank over time.
Sediment Accumulation:
This process repeats with each use of the water heater, leading to a gradual buildup of sediment at the bottom of the tank.
Consequences:
Sediment buildup can reduce the heater's efficiency, potentially leading to higher energy bills, decreased hot water supply, and even damage to the heater.”

[danglanzsr]

Xxx

[Rodneysblue]

I can't recall a time in the past that I have had a water heater flushed. We have lived throughout the United States (different climates) and have had both electric and gas water heaters. I have never had one flushed. Curious if others do and if so, how often. Thanks.

Yes, usually once a year.

[retiredguy123]

i had mine drained in June. Munn's did it and recommends draining 1x a year. Some people do it and some don't. I feel it can't hurt and certainly can help
You are correct that it can't hurt. But if you are paying Munn's to drain it every year, keep in mind that a new water heater costs $450 at Home Depot and it will last at least 10 years with no maintenance.

[opinionist]

I had an installer up north tell me that the cheaper water heaters needed to be flushed periodically. I opted for the more affordable water heater for a seasonal cottage because the entire water system was drained in preparation for the winter freeze. In Florida, I do nothing until a replacement is needed.

[Rainger99]

How about flushing tankless water heaters? This is my first experience with tankless and I was told to flush once a year.

[Gunny2403]

Once a year…I’m lazy so I pay 65$

[dougawhite]

How about flushing tankless water heaters? This is my first experience with tankless and I was told to flush once a year.

I flush my gas tankless every year. Important to keep the pipes clean to speed up heat transfer.

[jrref]

You are correct that it can't hurt. But if you are paying Munn's to drain it every year, keep in mind that a new water heater costs $450 at Home Depot and it will last at least 10 years with no maintenance.

$450?, Once a year Lowes and sometimes Home Depot literally gives away hot water heaters that are discontinued. Last year we got one for my neighbor for $200 and we installed it ourselves.

[Rocksnap]

Bought a flush kit. So easy even a caveman could do it. Vinegar as the cleaning solution.

[Gfnorris]

We recently had ours flushed for the first time at the suggestion of our plumber. Evidently, extends the life of the heater. We won't do it yearly probably, but I can see where it may be good for the heater. We have a water filtration system so maybe we won't have as much sediment and mineral deposits???

[jimmy o]

I can't recall a time in the past that I have had a water heater flushed. We have lived throughout the United States (different climates) and have had both electric and gas water heaters. I have never had one flushed. Curious if others do and if so, how often. Thanks.
Water heaters, gas and electric both should be flushed once a year. Easily done by opening valve at bottom of tank and running for a few minutes. The sludge that comes out is a combination of minerals and decaying anode rod. Replacing anode rod every 5 years is a great way to extend the life of your heater.

[easeonby]

I can't recall a time in the past that I have had a water heater flushed. We have lived throughout the United States (different climates) and have had both electric and gas water heaters. I have never had one flushed. Curious if others do and if so, how often. Thanks.

I flush my electric water heater every month. I drain about 5 gallons out every month to remove the sediment that builds up.

[shut the front door]

Water heaters, gas and electric both should be flushed once a year. Easily done by opening valve at bottom of tank and running for a few minutes. The sludge that comes out is a combination of minerals and decaying anode rod. Replacing anode rod every 5 years is a great way to extend the life of your heater.

Apparently you neglected to read the thread before replying.

[Michael G.]

Just be careful and make sure when you shout off the faucet on the tank.
no sediment is trapped in the washer valve.
If there is, it will cause a leak after you turn the valve off.

[retiredguy123]

Just be careful and make sure when you shout off the faucet on the tank.
no sediment is trapped in the washer valve.
If there is, it will cause a leak after you turn the valve off.
Be careful? How?

[jimmy o]

Apparently you neglected to read the thread before replying.
Not sure what you’re insinuating. Original post asked about flushing water heaters, I answered.