How Often Should You Flush Your Water Heater?

When was the last time you spent time with your water heater? For many homeowners, the answer is “I don’t remember.” It’s easy to forget about this appliance until it stops providing the comfort of hot water.

But if you stop and listen, you might notice something concerning: strange popping sounds, visible rust, or maybe the water just isn’t getting hot as quickly as it used to. These are all subtle signs that your water heater in Red Lion, is struggling, and the issue often comes down to one thing: sediment.

Water heaters need an occasional flush to give their best performance. The mineral sediment that builds at the bottom of the tank acts as an insulator, forcing the unit to work harder and longer.

At H.L. Bowman, your trusted local plumbing and HVAC experts serving Central Pennsylvania since 1946, we recommend flushing your tank annually. It’s a small price to pay for the comfort, efficiency, and longevity of your hot water system.

Why Do I Need to Flush My Water Heater?

The water in Central Pennsylvania, whether from municipal sources or private wells, contains dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium. When your water heater heats the water, these minerals separate and settle at the bottom of the tank, forming a hard, sand-like layer known as sediment buildup.

This layer is a major problem for several reasons:

1. Reduced Efficiency: The heating element has to heat the sediment before it can heat the water above it. This dramatically increases your energy consumption and utility bills.
2. Increased Wear and Tear: The constant overheating due to the insulating sediment causes the tank’s metal lining to degrade faster. This shortens the unit’s lifespan and can lead to early failure.
3. Strange Noises: As the heating element attempts to heat the water beneath the layer of sediment, pockets of superheated water can form and violently escape, causing the distinctive rumbling, popping, or banging noises that homeowners often describe. This is a clear indicator that your water heater is being damaged.

How Often Should I Flush My Water Heater?

As we stated above, for maximum efficiency and to prevent costly water heater repair, H.L. Bowman firmly recommends performing a water heater flush once a year.

In areas of Central Pennsylvania with particularly hard water—such as around Harrisburg and York—you may consider flushing every six to nine months. Regular water heater maintenance is the single most effective way to protect your investment.

Signs Your Water Heater Needs Flushing

Obviously, a pool of water around your water heater is a clear sign of a problem! Here are some other tell-tale signs that it’s time to call H.L. Bowman for a professional flush or water heater repair:

• Loud Popping or Rumbling: The most common sign. This noise is the sediment layer causing boiling water pockets.
• Reduced Hot Water Supply: Sediment takes up volume in the tank, meaning you have less hot water stored.
• Slow Recovery Time: The unit takes much longer to heat a full tank of water because the heating element is insulated.
• Dirty or Cloudy Hot Water: If your hot water looks cloudy or sandy, that material is coming directly from the sediment in your tank.
• Discolored or Foul-Smelling Water: Rusty, cloudy, or metallic-smelling water can indicate corrosion inside the tank, while foul-smelling water may suggest bacterial growth that requires professional treatment.
• Reduced Hot Water Pressure: A noticeable drop in hot water pressure can be caused by sediment buildup blocking the outlet pipes, a faulty pressure relief valve, or issues with the plumbing connections.

Do I Need to Flush My Tankless Water Heater?

This is a common question we hear from homeowners in Lancaster and Reading and other areas in Pennsylvania! While traditional tank units collect sediment at the bottom, tankless (on-demand) water heaters are still susceptible to scale buildup inside their heat exchanger coils.

Though the process is technically called “descaling” or “deliming,” the principle is the same: the coils must be flushed with a descaling solution to maintain efficiency. We recommend having your tankless unit descaled every one to two years to prevent the coils from clogging completely.

How Long Do Water Heaters Last?

With proper, consistent water heater maintenance, including an annual flush, a conventional storage tank water heater can last between 10 and 15 years.

Without flushing, the lifespan can drop dramatically, sometimes failing in as little as 7 to 8 years due to corrosion and sediment buildup. Tankless units, because of their design, can last up to 20 years, provided they are regularly descaled. Investing a little in yearly maintenance saves you thousands in premature replacement costs.

Can I Flush a Water Heater Myself?

A DIY flush is possible. However, the process involves working with water and electrical or gas hookups, which can be dangerous if not done correctly. Moreover, improperly draining a tank can damage the heating elements or clog your drain lines with tough, hardened sediment.

If you are unsure, calling a professional plumbing company in Central Pennsylvania like H.L. Bowman is always the safest option.

How to Flush a Water Heater in 5 Easy Steps

If you are confident in your skills, here is a simplified overview of the process:

1. Power Down: Turn off the gas supply (for gas heaters) or the circuit breaker (for electric heaters).
2. Isolate Water: Turn off the cold water supply valve leading into the water heater.
3. Cool Down: Open a nearby hot water faucet and run it until the water is lukewarm or cold. This prevents scalding.
4. Connect and Drain: Attach a standard garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and run the hose to a safe drain location. Open the drain valve and a hot water faucet upstairs to create a vent.
5. Flush and Refill: Once the tank is empty, quickly open and close the cold water inlet valve a few times to stir up and flush out remaining sediment. Close the drain valve and remove the hose, then turn the cold water supply back on to refill the tank.

Schedule Your Water Heater Flush Today

Give your water heater the TLC it deserves, while enjoying a hot shower in your Red Lion, PA, home! For professional, reliable Water Heater Service in Central Pennsylvania—whether you’re in Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, or Allentown—trust the team at H.L. Bowman. Call us at 717-287-5504 or request service online. We’ve been serving our neighbors since 1946!