Flush a water heater
Flushing a tank water heater removes the sediment that settles on the bottom and makes it rumble. The videos here show the sequence: turn off the power or gas, close the cold supply, connect a hose to the drain valve and drain the tank. Our step-by-step guide gives the safe order.
Two safety points. Hot water scalds, so let the tank cool and direct the hose to a drain. And never run an electric element dry: it burns out, so refill before you restore power. If the drain valve is clogged with sediment, a pipe fitting may be needed. A pipe wrench helps with stuck fittings. If the heater leaks or the tank is rusted through, see water heater leaking or noisy.
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