How Often Should a Water Heater Be Flushed in Kendallville, IN?
Your water heater works hard behind the scenes every day, quietly providing hot water for your showers, laundry, and dishwashing. While it’s easy to forget this essential appliance until something goes wrong, regular water heater maintenance is key to extending its lifespan and ensuring it performs efficiently.
One of the most crucial, yet often overlooked, aspects of this maintenance is flushing the water heater. But how often should a water heater be flushed in Kendallville, Indiana? And what happens if you don’t? T&T Plumbing & Heating, Inc. is here to explain.
Why Is Water Heater Flushing Needed?
Water heater flushing is the process of draining the tank to remove sediment buildup from the bottom. Over time, minerals—especially calcium and magnesium found in Kendallville’s hard water—settle inside the tank. If left unchecked, this sediment can harden, impacting your heater’s performance and reducing its lifespan.
Flushing clears out this buildup, restoring energy efficiency and preventing corrosion or damage to internal components. Whether you have a traditional tank water heater or a tankless water heater installation, flushing is a critical maintenance task to keep the unit operating reliably.
How Often Should You Flush Your Water Heater?
For most homes in Kendallville, Indiana, T&T Plumbing & Heating, Inc. recommends flushing your water heater once per year. This timeline helps keep sediment from accumulating and hardening inside the tank.
However, if your home has especially hard water or if you use a large volume of hot water daily, more frequent flushing might be beneficial. On the other hand, tankless water heaters can often go a little longer between flushes, but still require annual servicing to remove mineral scaling in the lines.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Standard tank water heater with normal water usage: Flush once per year
- Hard water or heavy hot water usage: Flush every 6-9 months
- Tankless systems: Flush annually, or as recommended by the manufacturer
If you’re unsure about your water quality or usage, the professionals at T&T Plumbing & Heating, Inc. can assess your home and recommend a regular water heater maintenance schedule.
Can a Water Softener Reduce the Need for Flushing?
Yes, installing a water softener can help reduce how frequently sediment builds up in your water heater. Soft water has fewer minerals, so there’s less debris collecting at the bottom of your tank. However, even with a water softener, you should still plan on flushing your water heater annually to catch any remaining impurities or corrosion that may still occur.
If you’re interested in learning more about water softeners in Kendallville, T&T Plumbing & Heating, Inc. also offers expert advice and installation services to help protect your plumbing system long-term.
What Happens If You Never Flush Your Water Heater?
Neglecting to flush your gas or electric water heater tank can cause a chain reaction of problems that lead to higher energy bills, reduced performance, and premature failure of the unit. Here’s what happens if you never flush your water heater:
Sediment Buildup and Reduced Efficiency
As sediment settles at the bottom of the tank, it creates a layer between the burner or heating elements and the water. This forces the electric or gas water heater to work harder and use more energy to heat your water. Over time, your utility bills may creep up without you realizing the cause.
Lukewarm or Inconsistent Hot Water
Sediment buildup can displace the water in the tank, reducing capacity and leading to inconsistent water temperatures. You may notice shorter hot showers or hot water that turns cold mid-use.
Loud Noises From the Water Heater Tank
If your water heater starts making popping or rumbling sounds, that’s a sign that sediment has hardened inside. The noise comes from water boiling under or around the sediment layer. It’s not just annoying—it’s a red flag.
Premature Tank Failure
Perhaps the most serious risk is corrosion. Sediment traps heat against the tank lining, weakening the metal and accelerating rust. Eventually, this can lead to a leaking water heater or a complete failure, requiring full water heater replacement much earlier than expected.
Voided Manufacturer’s Warranty
Many water heater warranties require regular flushing as part of their terms. If you skip this step and end up with a broken water heater, you could be stuck covering the cost of water heater repair services or a new water heater installation out of pocket.
Regular flushing, especially when done by trusted professionals like those at T&T Plumbing & Heating, Inc., can prevent these issues and extend the life of your water heater significantly.
Why Professional Flushing Matters
While some homeowners in Kendallville may wonder, “Can I flush my water heater myself?”, it’s easy to make mistakes that could damage the heater or only partially address the sediment problem. That’s why it’s best to leave it to a professional like T&T Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
Our skilled technicians:
- Safely drain and clean the tank
- Inspect the anode rod for corrosion
- Check for leaks and ensure proper pressure
- Test temperature and pressure relief valves
- Offer insights into water quality and filtration if needed
Regular professional flushing ensures your water heater stays in top shape, runs efficiently, and lasts for years to come.
Schedule Water Heater Flushing in Kendallville, IN Today
Whether your water heater is brand new or several years old, regular maintenance—especially flushing—should be part of your household routine. For homeowners in Kendallville, Indiana, T&T Plumbing & Heating, Inc. offers expert water heater maintenance services and reliable plumbing solutions to keep your system running smoothly all year long.
Flushing is a small step that can make a huge difference in the life and performance of your water heater. Don’t wait for signs of trouble. Prevent costly breakdowns, lower your utility bills, and enjoy a consistent hot water supply by calling T&T Plumbing & Heating, Inc. to schedule your water heater service.
T&T Plumbing & Heating, Inc. proudly serves the Kendallville community with dependable plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services. Whether you need maintenance, water heater repair services, or water heater installation services, you can trust our experienced team to provide honest advice and superior service every time. Call today and ask about setting up a water heater maintenance plan that fits your home and budget.
