Your tanked water heater is constantly battling mineral content in your water, leading to sediment buildup. These hard mineral particles, like calcium and lime, sink to the bottom of the tank, creating a layer that reduces efficiency, shortens the heater’s lifespan, and can eventually cause premature failure. A layer of sediment forces the heating element to work harder and longer to heat the water above it, wasting energy and often resulting in a loud banging or popping noise.
To prevent this costly issue, you should flush (or drain) your water heater once a year. This simple maintenance task involves hooking a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and emptying several gallons of water until it runs clear. This process removes the accumulated sediment, restores heating efficiency, reduces wear and tear on the heating elements, and ensures your water heater delivers reliable hot water for its full expected lifespan.
