How long Does it normally Take to flush your hot water heater?

[tm37]

AHHH The joys of home Ownership, They should give you a manual.

I had Rust in my HOT water only so it turns out I need to flush the hot water heater.

How long is this going to take?

 

[Mrfrog840]

hrmmm ours takes around 15minutes?
guessing from last time

 

[HappyPuppy]

The problem is more likely rusted hot water pipes than rust from your hot water heater, unless your heater is very old.

Modern hot water heaters have a glass lining on the inside. If you are getting rust from the tank, then the glass lining is gone and your heater is getting ready to flood your house.

I have found that hot water heaters are good for 12-15 years, regardless of the warranty. If you begin having problems with it just rip it out and install a new one. They aren't that expensive. Takes about 2 hours to do.

 

[tm37]

Well My Son Just pulled the hose out of the drain and hosed down all of our clothers in the laundry room!:Q

GREAT !

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
The problem is more likely rusted hot water pipes than rust from your hot water heater, unless your heater is very old.

Modern hot water heaters have a glass lining on the inside. If you are getting rust from the tank, then the glass lining is gone and your heater is getting ready to flood your house.

I have found that hot water heaters are good for 12-15 years, regardless of the warranty. If you begin having problems with it just rip it out and install a new one. They aren't that expensive. Takes about 2 hours to do.

Water Heater is about 8 years old, According to Dad's home improvement book this is normal and can be fixed with a simple flush.

I know it's coming from the heater as I only have Rust in the hot water, ALL COPPER PIPING!

 

[Maggotry]

Hot water heater. I love hearing people say that.

Just hook up a hose to the drain line, run the hose out to the driveway, open the valve and let it flush for 20 minutes or until the water is clean. Do not close the inlet to the water heater though. Let the water flush thru it.

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: Maggotry
Hot water heater. I love hearing people say that.

Does that apply to my COLD water heater?:Q

EDIT -> Crap I said it to!

 

[SoyBoy004]

and i thought i heard it all on ATOT, LOL!

 

[FoBoT]

an 8 year old water heater is glass lined, if you are getting rust from it, replace it, like the guy up there ^ said

it isn't that hard, the hardest part is brazing the copper pipes, if you have never done it, and if you don't get the cold water inlet 100% turned off (the cold water prevents the pipe from heating up enough to melt the solder)

good luck

 

[tm37]

FLushed it And now the water is clean!

WOOHOO!

Still GOnna GO price Water heaters in a few weeks, Too Busy this weekend and out of town the next.

 

[her209]

I live in an apt so I have a seemingly endless supply of hot water

 

[sharkeeper]

Your water heater anode rod (sacrificial electrode) has expired. This looks a bolt head at the top of the tank. The tank doesn't need to be completely drained to replace it, just a few gallons (and most importantly!) all the pressure relieved! Putting this mangesium rod back in the water will stop corrosion. Even glass lined tanks will corrode around the fittings and element flanges (electric) in the absence of the sacrificial element.

Cheers!

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: sharkeeper
Your water heater anode rod (sacrificial electrode) has expired. This looks a bolt head at the top of the tank. The tank doesn't need to be completely drained to replace it, just a few gallons (and most importantly!) all the pressure relieved! Putting this mangesium rod back in the water will stop corrosion. Even glass lined tanks will corrode around the fittings and element flanges (electric) in the absence of the sacrificial element.

Cheers!

I'll have to remember to tell my dad that. Thanks!