When is the last time you flushed you water heater? If you're like most people, your answer is, "I'm supposed to flush my water heater?"
Because your water heater is essentially a water storage tank, while the water is being held in the tank, sediment naturally occurring in just about every source of water settles to the bottom of your tank. Over time, this sediment builds up, and can effect the normal operation of your water heater.
While there are not typically symptoms of a water heater that needs flushing, neglecting to flush you water heater regularly affects the internal components of your water heater and shortens its lifespan. It also can affect the efficiency of your water heater, requiring more energy to operate (higher costs!).
There are some newer water heaters that are "self-flushing," so you should check your user manual to see if yours requires regular maintenance. If you are unsure, contact us and we may be able to find out for your particular model.
How often should you flush your water heater? At M&M Plumbing, we recommend annual maintenance for your water heater to keep it working optimally. However, if it has not been done in a long time, it's best to have a qualified professional plumber look inspect it first, because if the buildup is too significant, it may do more harm that good.
If you are unsure about how to flush your water heater, or just prefer to have a professional do the job, M&M Plumbing is here to help. Give us a call or contact us through our website form, and we'll be happy to give you a free quote on maintenance for your water heater. We provide water heater maintenance through the Olympia area and Thurston County.
