Cleaning Water Heater Tank

Storage tank water heaters require little maintenance and are less expensive than tankless water heaters.

Cleaning water heater tank.

Your water heater will operate more efficiently and this will usually extend the life of the heater. Unscrew the cold water supply line at the top of the water heater and remove the nipple screwed into the cold water port. To clean the sediment out of a water heater follow these steps. This helps to control the buildup of mineral deposits.

On the downside they use more energy. Once the water has drained close the valve. Step by step instructions for flushing the sediment from a water heater. Let the drain valve run for a few minutes until the water exiting from the hose is clear.

Take a water hose and attach it to the drain valve. If there is a thick layer of dust or dirt on your hot water heater use a shop vac to take off as much dust as possible. Pour clean water to your water heater through the funnel based on the size of your heater and the cleaning product s directions. Run the hose end to a basin where you can collect hot water.

Reactivate the cold water supply before you disconnect your hose from the drain valve. Shut off the gas or electricity to the water heater and open a hot water faucet and let it run full blast for about 10 minutes to reduce the water temperature in the tank. Tank water heaters vs. Water heaters with a tank are the most popular.

Spray the inside of the tank with the cleaning wand. Push the end of the wand into the port at the bottom of the water heater tank and turn on your hose. Be sure to turn off the power to the water heater and the cold water inlet valve before you begin any repairs. Step 3 wipe the hot water heater down with a dry cloth to get rid of as much dry dirt as possible.

Open the drain valve after unscrewing the water supply line and allow sufficient time for the water to drain out of the heater into the basin. Use the crevice attachment to clean underneath the tank around the pipes and behind the hot water heater. If you don t use that stored hot water it cools down and has to continually be reheated. This water will help dislodge any additional sediment that may have been inside your tank.

Then shut off the cold water valve at the top of the tank and attach a garden hose to the existing drain valve and route it to a floor drain. Use this guide to flush your water heater. Press down on the wand s handle to shoot the water inside the tank. For a 40 gallon tank you will typically pour 2 gallons of clean.