You should drain and flush your water heater once a year to prevent sediment buildup, which can reduce efficiency and shorten the tank's lifespan. However, if you have very hard water, twice a year is recommended.
If you don’t drain your water heater, minerals and sediment will build up at the bottom of the tank. Over time, this causes higher energy bills, popping noises, and potential failure of heating elements. In the worst case, the buildup can cause the tank to corrode, leak, or fail entirely.
A 10-minute shower typically uses 20 to 25 gallons of hot water. Because showers are usually mixed with cold and hot water to reach a comfortable temperature, the actual volume of hot water drawn from your heater will usually be slightly less, while a low-flow showerhead can reduce this amount by up to 50%.
Yes, most manufacturers and plumbers recommend draining and flushing your water heater once a year. This process removes accumulated mineral sediment and debris, which helps prolong the lifespan of the tank, prevents popping/rumbling noises, and improves heating efficiency.
Flushing an older unit that's never been serviced can lead to complications, including leaks or valve clogs. However, if your water heater is relatively new—or you've flushed it yearly since installation—you can enjoy the benefits of faster heating, lower energy bills, and a longer lifespan for your unit.
Water main flushing is the process of cleaning the interior of water mains and removing any accumulated sediment by sending a rapid flow of water through the mains. This rapid flow disrupts any sediment that may accumulate in the main over time, allowing us to filter and remove it.
Cost Factors for Flushing a Water Heater
The cost for a professional flush of your water heater typically ranges from $80 to $150. This service includes a comprehensive evaluation by our skilled technicians, who will ensure that every component of your water heater is functioning perfectly.
Draining a 50-gallon water heater typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. However, if your tank relies purely on gravity to empty through a garden hose, or if there is heavy sediment buildup clogging the drain valve, the process can take anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour.
You don't need to completely drain the tank each year, but draining several gallons from the bottom can help flush out buildup. Removing sediment allows the heater to transfer heat more efficiently, reduces noise, and minimizes stress on the tank, all of which can help extend its lifespan.
The 4-minute shower rule is a sustainability and cost-saving initiative advising people to limit their daily showers to four minutes or less. This practice helps conserve water, reduce energy used for heating, and lower household utility bills by limiting consumption to approximately 36–40 liters (roughly 9.6–10.5 gallons) per shower.
Toilet and faucet leaks
The most common cause for a high water bill is running water from your toilet. A continuously running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day or more depending on the volume flow down the drain.
Your tank size is the most significant determinant of how long you can have a hot shower: 30-gallon tank: ~5–7 minutes of hot water. 40-gallon tank: ~8–10 minutes. 50-gallon tank: ~10–12 minutes.
"If you've never flushed your water heater, it's likely that minerals and sediment have built up inside the tank. Over time, that buildup reduces the efficiency of the water heater and shortens its lifespan," Shimek says.
Shut Off The Water Heater
If you have a gas water heater, you can turn the heater off at the source and shut off the gas valve. If you have an electric heater, it can be turned off at the breaker. Once off, you can open the valve or spigot on the water heater to drain the water into a pail or bucket.
If your water heater is rumbling, popping, or cracking during operation, sediment buildup is usually the culprit. In standard tank units, mineral deposits settle at the bottom of the tank, forcing the burner or heating element to work harder to heat the water.
If a standard showerhead is fitted, it will use around an extra half a gallon each minute, accounting for a 25-gallon emittance every 10 minutes, or 50 gallons throughout a 20-minute shower. *1 gallon = 4.54 litres.
To drain a water heater quickly, turn off the power and the cold water supply. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and route it downhill. Open your home's highest hot water faucet to break the vacuum. For the fastest drain, disconnect the hot water pipe or open the Temperature & Pressure (T&P) relief valve.
Only heat the hot water twice a day
Try heating the water for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. Start the water heating about an hour before you need it. For example, if you shower at 08:30, start heating the water at 07:30. If you wash up in the evening at 19:30, then start the water heating at 18:30.
Traditional tank water heaters last 8 to 12 years, while tankless models typically last 15 to 20 years. Lifespans vary greatly depending on water quality, unit design, and whether you perform regular maintenance like flushing the tank and checking the anode rod.
A 10-minute shower typically uses 12 to 25 gallons of hot water, depending on your showerhead's flow rate and how hot you keep the water.
A water heater needs to be flushed periodically to avoid: A premature breakdown. Hot water shortage problems. Noise from the water heater.
The "135-degree rule" in plumbing states that the total (aggregate) horizontal change in direction for a drainage pipe—specifically trap arms—cannot exceed 135 degrees between the P-trap and the vent. Exceeding 135 degrees (such as using three 45-degree bends or a 90 and two 45s) requires a cleanout because sharp turns hinder flow and cause clogs.
The main difference between toilet and sink water is contamination risk. Both originate from the same municipal water supply but sink water remains relatively clean as it flows through controlled fixtures.
Flushing is usually commenced two weeks before harvest. If the plant has an eight-week flowering period, the flushing will need to take place six weeks after the start of the flowering stage. It is best to take a close look at the trichomes on your plant to assess when your cannabis is likely to be ready for harvest.