You may have noticed that your
water heater makes noises sometimes that sound like gravel popping around or
popcorn popping inside of a pan. I'm Dave Jones, Master Plumber for
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain Service. If you're hearing a lot of popping noises from inside your water heater, you have calcium and sediment buildup
inside of the tank. This is usually caused by hard water, which is loaded with minerals. Over time, these minerals separate from the water and settle at the bottom of the tank. Installing a water softener will cut down on sediment, but you'll still need to remove the
accumulated buildup in the tank to keep the water heater operating efficiently. First shut off the electricity to the
unit at the circuit breaker box. If it's a gas water heater, make sure you shut off the gas valve leading to the water heater Second, shut off the cold water supply
line leading to the water heater. This will be located on the top of the
water heater on the right hand side. Third, open up a hot water faucet at the
highest point in the house. Preferably above the level of the water
heater, but if you live in a one-story ranch home, any faucet will do Next, hook up a water
hose to the water heater's drain at the bottom. This is called a boiler drain and
it looks a lot like your outdoor hose bib on the side of your house. Once you've hooked up the hose, extend it to
the outside or to a nearby drain and open the valve.
Let the water heater drain out completely. If you open the valve and nothing comes
out, sometimes the sediment is piled higher in the unit that the valve becomes clogged. If the water does not come out, perform the following: First, hook up awashing machine hose to a nearby faucet. Next, take the other end of the washing
machine hose and screw it onto the end of the hose that you've attached to the water heater. Once this is completed, open up the boiler drain on the water heater and turn on the faucet. The water pressure flowing back into the
water heater should blow out the clog and allow it to start draining. Remember, you
should just need an initial blast of pressure to clear the valve so the tank can drain. While the drain hose is still attached to
the boiler drain, turn on the cold water valve at the top
of the water heater. Open at full force for about two to three minutes to help rinse out the remaining sediment inside
the tank. Once the water is running clear from your drain hose, close the valve at the bottom and then
open up the water fill valve at the top of the unit. Purge out the air by leaving a faucet open
inside the house. Finally turn the circuit breaker back on or relight the pilot so the water heater can get back to making hot water for baths, showers and laundry. It is crucial that you follow each of these steps carefully and safely I'm Dave Jones, Master Plumber with Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain Service. Thanks for watching.