I am sure Speedball1 and a few others will help me with this post. I want to double check on the best procedure to follow when flushing a hot water heater. I have been shutting down the main opening a hot water faucet and then the drain at the bottom of the tank. When the tank is about empty and down to a trickle I open and close the main and the let drain again. I repeat the open/close 2-3 more times and then button everything back up. Is there a more thoprough method to use? KISS I'll add this so nobody else thinks I am nuts. Yes, I set the gas to pilot during the flush.

Thanks,
Bob

What? You don't turn the gas to pilot or turn off the electric?

Hopefully your doing flushing for an entirely different reason.

In general the idea is to turn off the heat to the water heater, and open the drain until the water runs clear without getting burnt. The trouble is that most consumer drain valves stick, are hard to open/close and just down right nasty. So, that's replaced when the tank is new with a cap on the end as well.

I don't know if turbulence, with entering new water is a good thing or not. i.e. should you turn off the inlet. My hunch says no.

KISS , I did forget to mention the gas is set to pilot during the flush but thanks for catching the omission. Bob