How (and why) to flush your water heater once a year

Sediment settles at the bottom of a water heater tank over time. Left there, it insulates the water from the burner or element, wastes energy, makes popping noises, and slowly kills the tank. An annual flush clears it.

Why it matters

• Efficiency: sediment forces the heater to work harder for the same hot water, raising your energy bill.
• Lifespan: it's one of the biggest factors in whether a tank lasts 8 years or 15.
• Warning signs: rumbling or popping noises, water that doesn't get as hot, or rusty water from the hot tap.

What a flush and service covers

• Draining the tank to clear settled sediment.
• Checking the anode rod — the sacrificial rod that prevents the tank rusting; replacing it every few years dramatically extends tank life.
• Testing the temperature-and-pressure (T&P) relief valve, a critical safety device.
• Inspecting connections and, for tankless units, descaling the heat exchanger.

Note the install date and each year's flush. A tank heater typically lasts 8–12 years; knowing its age turns a cold-shower morning into a planned replacement rather than an emergency one.

Your Home Docket keeps all of this in one place — every appliance, its warranty, its service history, and a reminder before the next service is due, shared with your whole family. It's free. Create yours in a couple of minutes.