How Often Should You Drain Your Water Heater?
June 2, 2025
How Often Should You Drain Your Water Heater? A Homeowner’s Essential Guide
Just like your car needs an oil change and your HVAC system needs a filter swap, your water heater needs regular maintenance too. If you’ve ever wondered how often should you drain your water heater, you’re not alone. Most homeowners don’t think twice about their heater until the hot water runs out or something starts leaking. At Riser Plumbing and Drain, we help you stay ahead of costly problems with smart, simple advice—starting with the basics of draining your water heater.
This essential guide walks you through when, why, and how to drain your water heater, and how doing so can save you time, energy, and repair costs down the road.
Why You Should Drain Water From Your Heater Regularly
Over time, sediment build-up from minerals and debris in your tank water can settle at the bottom of your heater tank. This not only reduces energy efficiency but also shortens the life of your heater. Regular draining flushes out this sediment, improving the performance of both gas and electric water heaters.
At Riser Plumbing and Drain, we recommend routine maintenance to keep your water heater running at full capacity and to avoid early heater repair needs.
How Often Should You Drain Your Water Heater?
So, how often should you drain your water heater? The answer depends on your home’s water quality, but the general recommendation is every six months to once a year.
If you have hard water—which is high in minerals like calcium and magnesium—you may need to drain more frequently. Homes with water softeners can get away with annual maintenance.
Riser Plumbing and Drain always tailors advice to your specific system and location. Don’t guess—get expert guidance.
What Happens If You Skip Draining Your Heater?
Avoiding regular draining may seem harmless until your hot water suddenly runs cold. Sediment that builds up at the bottom of the tank can block your heater drain valve, cause overheating, and even damage the heating element in electric heaters.
Worse, sediment creates hotspots that can weaken the tank and cause leaks. That’s why Riser Plumbing and Drain stresses preventative care—it’s far cheaper than a full water heater replacement.
Signs It’s Time to Drain Water from Your Tank
Watch for these signs that your heater needs a flush:
- Reduced hot water supply
- Rumbling or banging noises from the tank
- Discolored water from your faucet
- Leaks near the drain valve
These symptoms often point to sediment problems. If you’re experiencing any of these, call Riser Plumbing and Drain to schedule a professional inspection or flush.
How to Drain a Water Heater Safely and Effectively
Draining your water heater might sound intimidating, but it’s manageable if you follow the steps carefully:
- Turn off the heater—gas or electric.
- Let the water cool for safety.
- Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the base.
- Open a hot water tap in the house.
- Open the drain valve and allow the tank to empty.
- Flush until the water runs clear.
Need help? Riser Plumbing and Drain can perform a full flush service, check your valve, and make sure everything’s clean and working.
Should You Call a Pro or DIY Your Drain Job?
While draining can be a DIY task, it’s not always easy, especially if the valve is stuck, sediment is hardened, or the heater hasn’t been maintained in years. Professionals like Riser Plumbing and Drain use safe, efficient methods to minimize risk and maximize performance.
We also inspect your entire water heater system, ensuring that drain valves, thermostats, and heater tanks are all in top shape.
Role of Hard Water in Heater Maintenance
If you live in an area with hard water, your water heater tank may need more frequent draining. The minerals in hard water lead to faster sediment build-up, which causes inefficiency, higher energy bills, and system stress.
Riser Plumbing and Drain can test your water quality and recommend solutions such as water softeners or every six months, drain schedules to extend the life of your water heater.
Hot Water Not Lasting Long? Drain Valve Could Be the Issue
A faulty or clogged drain valve can trap sediment and cause your hot water supply to decrease. If the valve isn’t opening or closing properly, it can also lead to leaks or total system failure.
Riser Plumbing and Drain offers expert drain valve replacements and services to restore your hot water flow and give your system long-term protection.
Protect Your Investment: Extend the Life of Your Water Heater
Regular draining, especially once a year, extends the life of your water heater and saves money in the long run. Whether you have gas or electric models, maintenance prevents corrosion, improves heating efficiency, and reduces the risk of a costly breakdown.
With help from Riser Plumbing and Drain, your heater stays clean, efficient, and reliable for years to come.
Riser Plumbing and Drain: Your Trusted Partner for Clean, Reliable Water Heating
You shouldn’t have to worry about waking up to a cold shower or rusty water. With professional maintenance from Riser Plumbing and Drain, you can rest easy knowing your water heater is in expert hands. From drain valve checks to full tank cleanouts, we’ve got you covered.
Need emergency service? Considering a full heater replacement? Riser Plumbing and Drain brings years of experience, quality workmanship, and honest pricing to every job.
Call Us Today
Don’t let sediment steal your comfort. Call Riser Plumbing and Drain today and give your water heater the clean break it deserves! Whether you need routine maintenance or urgent heater repair, our friendly professionals are ready to get your hot water flowing again—fast.
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