Have you seen some alarming signs of your heater? Many homeowners don’t know about the proper drainage of the water heater, leading to them not properly caring for it.
Generally, most families use around 400 gallons daily, making the heater crucial to own and operate. You want to maintain and care for your heater properly like other stuff. If you fail to do so, you are risking your family.
Is It Too Late to Drain My Water Heater?
Experts agree that while sediment in your tank water heater isn’t directly harmful to users, it can significantly impair the unit’s efficiency. Flushing your water heater regularly is recommended to prevent sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank, ensuring it operates smoothly.
However, one user shared their experience:
“Flushing a 5-year-old water heater that has never been flushed is generally low risk, but if you have an old unit, sediment dislodgement could cause the drain valve to become clogged or even create leaks.”
This highlights the importance of considering the age and condition of the unit before attempting a flush. Even if your water supply is of good quality, minerals can accumulate over time, necessitating a thorough flush.
However, the sediment can jeopardize the performance and condition of the device. The heater has to deal with a lot of water volume daily, and it can run for years without proper care or maintenance.
Even with good quality and softened water, it still has its sediment and minerals. If you are dealing with hard water, imagine how hard your heater needs to work.
Is Sediment in Hot Water Tank Dangerous?
When the water is kept within the tank, the minerals and sediment fall to the bottom area, and build-up will happen. When years pass by without proper cleaning or draining, these sediment collections can lead to other issues, such as:
- Higher utility bills because your heater has to work extra hard
- Problems and difficulty in heating up the water
- Less supply of hot water
- Popping noises (the trapped air within the sediment will cause it)
- Tank corrosion which can lead to small and big leaks
Pros and Cons of Draining Water Heater
Regularly draining your water heater through the drain valve is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and extending lifespan. This process helps prevent sediment buildup, which can leak or damage the heating element over time.
While there are many benefits to flushing your heater, including improved efficiency and reduced risk of overheating, it’s important to proceed with caution. Incorrectly handling the pressure relief valve or failing to reconnect the cold water supply properly can pose risks. Therefore, consulting a professional for this task is often recommended.
One experienced homeowner noted:
“If you try to flush a heater that hasn’t been serviced in years, you might dislodge so much sediment that it causes the tank to leak or the drain valve to clog.”
Therefore, it’s often safer to consult a professional who can assess the condition and properly handle the flush, especially if your heater is older or has never been maintained.
| Water Heater Condition | Risk Level for Flushing | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| New (<3 years, regularly maintained) | Low | Flush Annually |
| Moderate Age (3-7 years, occasionally maintained) | Medium | Flush with Caution, Consider Professional Help |
| Old (>7 years, rarely or never maintained) | High | Consult a Professional Before Flushing |
You can also make sure that you keep your family safe and sound. Some of the benefits of draining your water heater are:
- You make sure that the heater will stay on its best performance and it will stay running well for many years to come
- You remove the possibility of dangerous pressure buildup, which can endanger yourself and your family
- You ensure that sediment buildup can be prevented and avoided, resulting in cleaner and healthier water quality
However, you should also know that draining the heater on your own has its own downsides. You should consult a professional drainage service. Doing it yourself may be risky. You may do it wrong or cause another problem that didn’t exist before.
That’s why you should reach out and contact a pro and hire them to do the work. Otherwise, you may spend more because you are adamant about doing it alone.
Cost to Drain Water Heater
How often should you drain your heater? Do it once a year, minimum. You should put it into a regular maintenance schedule to avoid issues. You should also prepare the budgets. In general, the cost may vary from $80 to $100.
However, it depends on your area as well as the heater type. Let’s not forget that if the plumber finds other issues, your spending may increase.
The tankless heater may cost more than the regular conventional heater. Many people say you don’t need to drain it, but you should talk to your plumber.
They would be the ones that can recommend it. In most cases, you will have to drain the heater quite regularly. This kind of heater will require you to spend more, between $100 and $200. If your plumber finds more issues, be ready to spend more. So, before you spot any issues, schedule the drainage and flushing.
