Ask Angi: How Do I Drain and Flush My Water Heater?

Flushing your water heater once a year—or more often in hard water areas—helps keep your showers hot and your water heater running smoothly.

Flushing your water heater can be a do-it-yourself job, but hiring a pro can save a lot of time and effort. Dreamstime/TNS

By Angie Hicks Ask Angi

No one likes standing around waiting for hot water, especially first thing in the morning. If it takes forever to get warm water flowing through your taps, sediment buildup in your water heater could be the culprit. Flushing your water heater once a year—or more often in hard water areas—helps keep your showers hot and your water heater running smoothly. It’s a relatively simple maintenance task that can extend the life of your water heater, reduce noise, and cut your energy bills. Plus, it gives you a chance to spot any early signs of trouble.