Industry Standards. Industry guidelines are clear about water stagnation. They suggest that water should not sit unused in a heater for long periods. The exact timeframe varies, but generally, it is recommended to replace the water if it has been stagnant for more than six months.
Sulfur is caused by anaerobic bacteria that produces a buildup on the rods inside the hot water tank. Since most rods can be aluminum, bacteria can grow more rapidly here. Performing a flush on your hot water tank can help reduce sediment build up, as well as any type of bacteria build up.
The duration for which water stays hot in a tank depends on several factors, primarily the quality of insulation and the size of the tank. Well-insulated water tanks can maintain hot water temperatures for an extended period, often between 24 and 72 hours.
Even if the water heater is not electric, moisture can damage its crucial parts, making it unsafe to use in the future.
No. Don't drain it. If it is dry when power is applied the heating elements will burn out. Leaving it full is the safest way to prevent damage.
Customers ask us all the time, “should I turn off my water heater if I have already turned off the main water supply?” There is no set answer to this.
Timing Intervals. Regular maintenance, including draining, is key when heaters are not in use for extended periods. For short downtimes (a few weeks), flushing or draining might not be necessary. If idle for months, flush every six months at least.
That being said, while you're waiting for water heater repairs, try to ease up on your hot water use. It's still ok to shower, but if you were looking for an excuse to eat out for a day or two so you don't have to do any dishes, a leaking water heater is a good reason to do just that.
It's important to shut off the power to your water heater before draining it, or you could potentially burn out the heating elements. If you have an electric water heater, shut the power off from your home's electrical panel. The correct fuse or circuit breaker should be labeled as being connected to the water heater.
If fiberglass batting gets wet, the fibers become fused which impedes airflow and makes it lose its thermal resistance. It has the potential to be dried out, but if the water has caused the insulation to be compacted, replacement is often the best option.
Most conventional electric hot water tanks will last 10-15 years maximum. Gas-powered hot water tanks usually breakdown after 8-10 years, while tankless water heaters can last over 15 years with regular maintenance.
A conventional water heater lasts about 6-12 years. According to disastersafety.org, “By the time a water heater reaches age 12, nearly three quarters of [water heaters] have failed.” When water heater has reached its life expectancy, the tank begins to rust and corrode.
120 degrees Fahrenheit is the safety recommendation against scalding, but 140° is the common default setting. Most experts agree that anything below 120 degrees creates a risk for bacteria to develop inside your water heater from stagnant water, such as legionella that causes Legionnaire's disease.
Bacteria Growth
If your water smells or tastes odd, there may be bacteria growing inside the tank that can make you sick. An older water heater has a harder time maintaining a hot enough temperature to kill off bacteria.
Whilst there's no one-size-fits-all approach to water tank cleaning, there are general guidelines to consider regarding frequency. For domestic water tanks, it's advisable to clean the tank at least once a year. This is usually sufficient to maintain water quality and prevent the buildup of sediment and contaminants.
While the bacteria in the water heater are not a health threat, they must be eliminated to remove the odor problem. Heat disinfection is used to eliminate the bacteria. It involves draining the water heater, maximizing the temperature in the water heater, and then draining the water heater again.
Most homeowners should flush their water heaters every 6 months or so, but if you have extremely hard water, you may want to do it more often. Flushing your hot water heater could be necessary as often as every few months depending on the mineral content of your local water supply.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T FLUSH MY WATER HEATER? Leaving sediment build up in your water heater can not only cause it to work harder, but also lead to some serious problems like corrosion, clogged valves, or leaks.
If neither you nor a professional have flushed your water within the last five years, Water Heaters Now recommends not flushing it yourself.
If you notice a leak anywhere on or around your water heater, you need to turn this valve off because it stops the tank from filling back up. If you can't turn it off because it's broken or you see water leaking from the valve itself, you'll need to cut off your main water supply.
The short answer is yes, as long as you don't mind using cold water. Shutting off the input to your water heater will not affect your home's main water supply. You can still run appliances like your washing machine or dishwasher, flush your toilet, and use your shower, sink, or garden hose.
The Lifestory Research 2024 America's Most Trusted® Water Heater ranking is based on 6,547 opinions of people surveyed in the United States over the last 12 months. The most trusted water heater brands in order were Bosch, Whirlpool, Rheem, GE, Kenmore, AO Smith, Ruud, Bradford White, and Rinnai.
NOTE: If your water heater has been installed more than five years without any maintenance, it may be too late to flush. If the tank will not drain, sediment likely has built and clogged the drain.
The longer your water heater goes without a drain-and-flush, the more sediment and minerals will accumulate at the bottom of the tank. Eventually, this causes scaling. Ever noticed that hard, mineral buildup on your sink faucets and shower heads? That's scale: accumulated mineralization.
In most cases, water that smells like rotten eggs is caused by the anode rod inside your hot water tank. Anode rods are designed to attract corrosive elements in the water, thereby diminishing corrosion in the vulnerable steel liner. The degrading of the anode rod and/or the chemical reaction causes a rotten egg smell.