💧 Why Flushing Your Water Heater — Especially Tankless — Is So Important

Your water heater works hard every day to keep your showers hot and your laundry clean. Over time, sediment, minerals, and scale build up inside the system, affecting efficiency and performance. Whether you have a traditional tank or a tankless water heater, regular flushing is one of the most important maintenance tasks you can do.

🔹 What Is Water Heater Flushing?

Water heater flushing involves draining and cleaning the system to remove sediment, calcium, and rust buildup from the inside.

• For traditional tank heaters, the buildup settles at the bottom of the tank and insulates the water from the heating element, forcing the unit to work harder.

• For tankless water heaters, minerals stick to the heat exchanger, restricting water flow and causing the unit to overheat or shut down.

⚙️ Why Flushing Is So Important

1. Improves Efficiency

Sediment acts like a blanket that prevents efficient heat transfer. Flushing removes that layer, helping your water heater run smoothly and use less energy.

2. Extends Lifespan

Scale buildup causes corrosion and weakens internal components. Flushing once a year prevents costly damage and keeps both tank and tankless systems performing like new.

3. Prevents Overheating and Noise

If your tank heater “pops” or “rumbles,” it’s a sign of trapped steam under sediment. For tankless systems, overheating or frequent error codes often mean scale is blocking the heat exchanger — both problems are fixed by flushing.

4. Maintains Water Quality

Sediment and rust can discolor water or give it a metallic taste. Flushing ensures your home’s hot water stays clean and fresh.

🔹 How Often Should You Flush?

• Traditional Water Heaters: Every 12 months (or every 6 months in hard-water areas).

• Tankless Water Heaters: Once a year minimum — these systems are more sensitive to mineral buildup and can fail prematurely if not flushed regularly.

💡 In South Florida’s mineral-rich water conditions, yearly flushing is essential to protect your investment — especially for high-efficiency units like Navien or Rinnai tankless models.

🔧 Professional vs. DIY Flushing

While there are tutorials online, professional service ensures:

• Correct water and power shutoff procedures

• Safe descaling using approved chemicals

• Inspection of valves, sensors, and heating elements

• No air pockets or leaks after flushing

DIY flushing often misses hidden buildup and can void the manufacturer’s warranty — especially on tankless units.

💡 The Core Plumbing Advantage

At Core Plumbing, we specialize in both tank and tankless water heater maintenance, including full flushing and descaling services.

Our licensed technicians (License CFC1433423) use manufacturer-approved methods to restore your water heater’s efficiency, performance, and lifespan.

✅ Traditional and tankless water heater flushing

✅ Inspection for leaks, corrosion, or worn parts

✅ Service available across Broward and Palm Beach counties

📞 Call Core Plumbing today to schedule your annual water heater flushing and protect your system before buildup causes costly damage.