How to Clean Out an Electric Hot Water Heater

Cleaning out your electric hot water heater periodically will lengthen the life of the heater. Sediment and rust will build up in the water heater over time, decreasing water temperature and causing the heater to work harder. A hot water heater needs to be cleaned out once a year. If your home has well water or other water with high mineral content, flushing will be necessary more often.

Things You'll Need

• Garden hose

Instructions

1. Turn off the power to the hot water heater at the main breaker box. Be sure to tell everyone in the area to leave it off. Post a sign on the breaker box if necessary.

2. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve that is located at the bottom of the water heater. Run the hose out a door or window to the outside.

3. Turn off the water to the hot water heater. You will find the water valve on the water line running from the heater.

4. Lift the lever of the pressure release valve on top of the tank. Leave this open.

5. Open the drain valve at the bottom of the heater and allow all of the water to drain out. Keep children and animals away from the area because the water draining will be hot. It will take 30 to 45 minutes for the heater to drain.

6. Close the drain valve and remove the water hose. Close the pressure release valve at the top of the tank.

7. Turn on the water to the hot water heater. Turn on a hot water faucet in the home and allow it to run until no air is in the lines.

8. Turn on the power to the hot water heater. You will have a tank full of hot water in less than an hour.

Tips & Warnings

• If the drain valve is blocked by sediment, close the pressure valve and turn the water to the heater back on for a minute. This will push the clog out. In the event of a large clog, close the drain valve and use a screwdriver to break apart the clog.

References

• Chili Pepper Appliances: How to Flush Sediment