Flushing Water Heater-need to turn off supply?

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Ken Sturtz

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Hello All. I have a Rheem 40 gal electric water heater, 6yrs old and thought I would flush it, Every instruction I have read says to turn off the water supply and the power-----Why? I can easily cut the power, no big deal. BUT why do they advise to turn off the water supply? Itseems to me I would want water flow to help the flush? and if I can leave the water supply on, what is the danger to leaving the power on? Thanks All
 

Terry

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Leave the water on, it does a much better job a blasting out the sediment.
When I change out a water heater, I always start the flush with the water on.
 

wingclip

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When I change out a water heater, I always start the flush with the water on.
Hi Terry,
I guess I've probably spent about 6 hours researching the topic (and 'sub-topics') on water heaters now. I plan to flush my heater tomorrow and hope I won't make things worse somehow. I'm clear on the entire procedure except for one thing;
I don't see any benefit to leaving the heater on during the process.

No one has said to turn off the breakers to the water heater and unless I can get a reason why the heater should continue to heat the water while it's being flushed, I intend to flip the breakers off until I'm through.

So, do you think turning off the water heater's power during the flush is OK?
NOTE: I realize that this is an old thread so I understand if no one answers. They may simply not see it.
Thank you,
Rich
 

GReynolds929

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Unless you want to unnecessarily replace the elements you should definitely turn of power to the water heater before you start draining it.
 

Jeff H Young

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I spent a tremendous amount of time Flushing , draining etc . 6 years old I even changed anode. Honestly kinda just screwing around hoping for improovenent I also put a full flow ball valve shoved pipe through with shop vac . I really dont think flushing alone would have netted great results I think the draining down and then refilling it blasted more stuff out .
Honestly some might say a waste of time, I did spend time on it a lot of time several hours, I think I got headway Im going try again maybe this spring. Ive never done this for a paying customer I am a plumber
 
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