Water Heaters
Water heater flushing and tankless descaling
Flushing drains the sediment that hard water leaves in the bottom of a tank. Descaling circulates a mild acid solution through a tankless heat exchanger to dissolve scale. In hard-water areas, a yearly service is the cheapest way to extend a water heater's life.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- Licensed local plumbers
- Quote before work
Every gallon of hard water heated leaves minerals behind. In a tank they settle as sediment that insulates the burner from the water, wastes energy and causes rumbling. In a tankless unit they line the heat exchanger.
The same visit is a good time to check the anode rod, the relief valve and the expansion tank's pre-charge.
Flush & descale at a glance
- Frequency
- About yearly in hard water
- Also checks
- Anode rod, relief valve, expansion tank
Signs you need flush & descale
- Rumbling or popping from the tank
- Tankless scale or flow error codes
- Hot water that's lukewarm or fluctuating
- No flush in over a year
How the plumber handles it
- 1
Shut down
The plumber turns off gas or power and isolates the water.
- 2
Flush or descale
Tanks are drained and flushed until they run clear. Tankless units get a circulated descaling solution.
- 3
Inspect
They check the anode rod, relief valve and expansion tank and note anything near its end of life.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on what the plumber finds, so the plumber quotes on site. These are the main factors:
- Tank vs. tankless
- Hardened sediment that needs extra flushing
- Anode rod replacement
- Missing service valves on tankless units
What you can do, and when to stop
Safe to do yourself
- Drain a few gallons from a tank monthly to reduce sediment
Call a plumber
- Opening a drain valve on an old tank that may not reseal
- Descaling a tankless without isolation valves
Frequently asked questions
How often should I flush a water heater?
Once a year is a sensible baseline in hard-water areas. With soft or softened water, every two to three years is often enough. Follow the manufacturer's schedule for tankless units.
Where to get flush & descale
By state: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Need flush & descale?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.