Why You Should Drain Your Water Heater

---

It’s recommended to drain a tank-style water heater at least once a year. If you live in an area with hard water, you might need to drain it every 6 months to prevent mineral buildup. 

Yes, while tankless water heaters don’t store water, they still need annual maintenance to flush out mineral deposits that can accumulate in the heat exchanger. This process is often called “descaling” and is critical to maintaining efficiency and preventing damage. Although possible for homeowners, we recommend you contact either us or another licensed professional to flush your tankless water heater.

If the water won’t drain, sediment may be clogging the drain valve. Try opening a hot water tap in your home to relieve pressure or gently poke a wire into the drain valve to break up the sediment. If this doesn’t work, you may need to call us.

If you skip draining, sediment will continue to build up, reducing the efficiency of your heater, increasing energy bills, and potentially causing the tank to overheat, leak, or fail prematurely. Tankless heaters may experience reduced water flow or heat transfer, leading to expensive repairs. 

You’ll need a garden hose, a wrench (if the drain valve is tight), and a bucket or place to safely direct the drained water, like a floor drain or outside. If flushing a tankless heater, you’ll need a pump, vinegar, hoses, and a bucket for the descaling solution.