Texan Inspection looks very closely at your home’s water heater during our home inspection process. A thorough water heater inspection is an integral part of the services we perform. If natural gas or propane is the energy source, our inspector looks for gas cut off valves present and confirms that the unit is properly installed and functioning. We also verify the venting is correctly installed to remove the combustion gases from the home. These are two very important functions that need to be correct for safe operation. If the unit is electric, we verify that the proper breaker size is being used and correct amperage is being supplied to the unit.

Flushing the tank of the water heater is also important for efficient operation. Flushing can extend the life of your water heater if performed properly. Watch the video below for tips on flushing your water heater.

Video Transcript

At Texan Inspection Services, we know that you would like to extend the life of your water heater. One way to accomplish this is to flush your water heater every 6 months.

To properly flush a water heater, first connect a garden hose to the drain down valve. Run this hose to a nearby drain or outside for discharge. If you have an electric water heater, make sure to shut off the power. If you have a gas water heater, turn the setting to pilot. Next, open the drain down valve. After one or two minutes, close the supply valve. At a nearby sink, turn on the hot water and leave it on. Then return to the water heater.

Once the water heater is drained, you can turn the supply valve back on and let the heater flush for one to two minutes. Finally, close the drain down valve and let the water refill to capacity. Return to the open faucet and wait for all air to be purged from the tank and from the lines. Once the air has been bled, shut off the faucet.

If you have a gas water heater, be sure to change it back from pilot to the previous setting. If you have an electric water heater, turn the power back on. Be sure to consult with your owner’s manual. In some instances, if the water heater is old or maintenance has not been kept up with, flushing could cause more harm than good.

To find out if your water heater could benefit from a flush, please contact us at 281-342-5762

If you have any questions about flushing your water heater or water heater inspection in general, call Texan Inspection Services at 281-342-5762. To schedule your next home inspection click here.

Visit our DIY Video page for more home maintenance tips and feel free to contact us with any questions about water heater inspection or other concerns about your Houston area home.