Are you curious about how to clean sediment from water heater? If yes, turn off the device and the valve and wait until the water in the tank cools. Next, attach the garden hose to the draining valve, and place the opposite hose end in a drain or bucket.
Afterward, turn the water faucet on, allow the water tank to drain, and drain it off again after emptying the tank.
But if you don’t follow these steps, you might maintain the unit with regular cleaning or purchase a new one. The first option is always the most convenient since handling the limescale and sediment deposition. So, read on for further tips on cleaning sediment from the water heater.
What Is A Sediment?
Sediment is a white and yellowish mineral consisting of magnesium and calcium carbonate deposits inside the storage tank. It doesn’t come out just by scaping. Remember that sediment is also found in the heating component as you heat the water. It decreases the water heater’s efficiency and requires more time to reduce or heat the water temperature. The sediment building relies much on the type of water, be it soft water or hard water. The hard water has many minerals that permeate the deposits, such as limestone, chalk, or gypsum. These are a by-product of sulfate, bicarbonates, and calcium carbonate. On the other hand, soft water is a dissolved salt that is not the same as hard water.
Reasons Why Sediment Occurs
If the water with minerals is heated, they separate and stay underneath the tank. This mineral deposit causes further damage to the heater as it profoundly affects the water temperature. It also starts to take too much time, which occurs regularly and frequently happens for hard water. So, flush the water heater, although it’s something you are unaware of. The sediment minimizes the durability of the unit, including its functionality. The question now is, “can you remove the sediment without asking for professional help?”
Steps To Clean Sediment From Water Heater
Here are the steps to follow in cleaning sediment from the water heater:
Step #1. Turning off the water heater
Switch off the electric water heater, but if you have a gas water heater, look for the thermostat knob. Then, turn it to the PILOT settings that turn off the heating component. But make sure that no one uses hot water before starting the maintenance task.
Step #2. Turning the other valve off
Turn off the cold water supply to avoid streaming inside the water heater and to help completely drain the water tank. This is the same as when you turn off the heater, an essential step that, if not followed, the water flow will make it impossible or difficult to continue the procedure.
Step #3. Waiting until the water cools up entirely in the tank
Wait until the water has finally cooled down already in the tank. Physical harm is likely the cause of scalding water. Thus, wait until the heating component has cooled down already. It takes around 2 hours if you have a substantial tank size.
Step #4. Attaching the garden hose in the draining valve
Search for the drain valve found on one side of the device. Then, attach the hose to it. Fix the hose correctly to prevent leakage.
Step #5. Placing the opposite part of the hose in a drain or bucket
The water that comes out of a hot water heater tank is clean, so please don’t waste it but place the bucket on the opposite end of the hose. Use it instead somewhere else. Place it inside or next to the drain that helps avoid water puddles.
Step #6. Turning the faucet on
Turn the faucet on to avoid the air vacuum. Allow the water to go through it. The water flow is less, so you won’t worry about it, as this occurs with the closed water supply connection.
Step #7. Allowing the tank to drain
Grab some screwdriver to turn the valve slowly. Be sure there won’t be any water leakage.
Step #8. Turning the drain off
The last step in how to clean sediment from water heater is to turn the drain off if you’re done draining the tank of the water heater. See if the tank is already empty, although you drain the sediment out completely. Follow the steps again in an entirely different way. Could you turn it off and get rid of the hose? Fill the tank after you turn the water supply. Turn its heating element. Maintain the tap as it runs until it starts the water to flow in a regular quantity. Get the water heater tested afterward, which takes up to thirty minutes. This way, you will see if it works back regularly. It’s best to also know to prevent sediment buildup.
It’s A Wrap!
Now you learn how to clean sediment from water heater. Maintain its durability and take good care of the sediment deposition. If there are few traces of deposit, ignore it. But if many more hints are there, it’s about time to do something about it. Click on these links to read related articles; know how to get sediment out of the water heater and how to turn on a water heater.