Is there any merit to draining/flushing a hot water heater at certain intervals to purge it of solids such as minerals to extend its life or otherwise cut down on the amount of corrosion?

Is there any merit to draining/flushing a hot water heater at certain intervals to purge it of solids such as minerals to extend its life or otherwise cut down on the amount of corrosion?


If you do not flush,(not drain) your heater on a regular basis it will build up mineral on the bottom of the tank. Let me show you how to flush your heater. Attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run until the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) and some white grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). The whole thing shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. You might want to consider cleaning the screens on your areators if you have a high mineral buildup. If thev problem still persists after you have flushed, you will have to drain the heater, remove the boiler drain and go up in the bottom of the tank with a wood or plastic rod, (not metal) and try to break up the mineral and flush it out.
On a personal note, let me add that your contributions to this site and the answers you give are most welcome. Thank you! Tom

If you do not flush,(not drain) your heater on a regular basis it will build up mineral on the bottom of the tank. Let me show you how to flush your heater. Attach a hose to the boiler drain at the bottom of the tank. With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run untill the water runs clear. You will see a spurt of red,(rust) and some white grains,(lime or calcium carbonate). The whole thing shouldn't take more then a few minutes. Don't forget to flush it out every month. Your heater will thank you for it. You might want to consider cleaning the screens on your areators if you have a high mineral buildup. If thev problem still persists after you have flushed, you will have to drain the heater, remove the boiler drain and go up in the bottom of the tank with a wood or plastic rod, (not metal) and try to break up the mineral and flush it out.
On a personal note, let me add that your contributions to this site and the answers you give are most welcome. Thank you! Tom
The question was warranted as I have experienced more than one hot water heater failing in the past and as they all exhibited rusting/corrosion at the bottom I thought that might be a clue to its failure. As for your personal note, I have you (and others) to thank for making it so easy to ask what might otherwise be considered useless questions because I have never seen a Post responded to with anything less than a detailed useful answer uncritical of the question itself or the wording therein. Thanks again, to all!

"With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run untill the water runs clear." -- Does this mean I connect the hose and turn the tap like thing on and run it. If this is the first time I am doing this in 5 years, how long should I run the water? Your help is much appreciated. THANKS!

"With the pressure on, open the boiler drain and let it run untill the water runs clear." -- Does this mean I connect the hose and turn the tap like thing on and run it. If this is the first time I am doing this in 5 years, how long should I run the water? Your help is much appreciated. THANKS!
... be at the bottom of the tank and will be threaded to accept an ordinary garden hose. Be careful not to get burned while connecting the hose and opening the valve and let it run full on for 5 minutes or until the water becomes cool... this indicates you've emptied all the hot water from the tank.