PLUMBING
Drains and faucets
Check shower and tub drains, clear them of any hair or other debris. Check laundry drains to keep them clear. Flush all drains.
Clean faucet heads. If there is a filter screen, check if it needs cleaning. Check and repair any leaks at faucets or handles.
Water Heater
Water heaters can accumulate sediment consisting of sand, gravel, and various mineral deposits. These deposits can reduce the amount of water your water heater holds and decrease the efficiency with which it heats your water. If not flushed the sediment can harden, clogging the drain valve. Manufacturers of water heaters recommend flushing them periodically; the mineral content of your water will determine how often this is necessary.
Cleaning
1. Turn off the heater!
2. On gas units, set the gas valve to "Pilot" to prevent the burners from coming on while you are flushing it. On electric units be sure to turn off the circuit breakers. (The heating elements will burn out quite rapidly f the water level drops below them and the thermostat turns them on.)
3. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.
(The water exiting the hose can be scalding hot. Be sure the hose is aimed away from children or pets.)
4. Close the shut off valve on the cold inlet to the unit.
5. Carefully open the temperature/pressure relief valve at the top of the tank by lifting the lever. Leave the valve open.
6. Open the drain valve at the bottom of the heater allowing the water to flow out through the garden hose.
If the sediment is clogging the drain valve then try closing the temperature/pressure relief valve and turn the cold inlet valve back on to "power flush" the sediment out.
In some cases the sediment hardens into large chunks that can block the drain valve. At times you may have to run the hot water out of the tank by opening a hot tap and letting it flow until it is cool enough to remove the garden hose and use a long screwdriver to break up the clog. This can be a very messy procedure.
7. When the garden hose runs clear you are finished.
8. Close the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and remove the garden hose.
9. Close the pressure relief valve at the top of the tank and turn the cold inlet valve back on.
