Should You Drain or Clean Your Water Heater Before Installing a New Water Filtration System?
People don’t think of their homes as complex systems all working in unison, but that’s just what they are. Your AC, electrical system, water heater and furnace are all examples of systems functioning to help make your house a safe and comfortable place to live.
Unfortunately, most homeowners are not professional electricians or plumbers, so they know very little about the intricate workings of these systems. As a local contractor, we take pride in answering the tough questions our customers ask about residential water filtration systems in Scottsdale, AZ. One of the questions we often get is whether or not a water heater should be drained and/or cleaned before installing a new water filtration system. We thought we would take the time to answer that question here.
When should you normally drain your water heater?
First of all, you should be draining and cleaning your water heater annually, even if you are not installing a water filtration system. Water has a variety of minerals in it, most of which are okay or even beneficial to drink. However, these minerals are not good for your water heater or your plumbing. Over time, these minerals accumulate in your water heater. If you don’t flush out your water heater, those minerals will eventually accumulate to the point where you start to get sediment clogging your pipes and coming through your tap.
Should you drain your water heater when installing a water filtration system?
When installing a water filtration system, the water for your home is shut off and your plumbing system needs to be drained, including your water heater. Imagine installing a brand-new water filtration system, turning your water back on and flooding your new filter with sediment from a filthy water heater. Can your new water filtration system clean the water? Probably so, at least for a while. But you’ve already significantly reduced the life of your water filter, and you just started using it. Imagine taking a straw with a filter in it and sticking it in a glass full of sand mixed with water. Even if your straw can get you a few gulps of clean water, it won’t be long before the straw is either clogged with sand or, even worse, you find yourself with a mouthful of sand.
To get the best performance and the longest life out of your water filtration system, you want to start with a clean water heater. Flushing your water heater is not something you should attempt to do on your own, however, unless you are familiar with the process. A service technician or a water heater repair service can provide this service for you.
For professional installation of a residential water filtration system in Scottsdale, AZ, however, you can call on the team at WES Water, your local water filtration specialists. We offer a variety of water filtration systems to best meet your needs. To learn more or schedule a time for a consultation, call us today. We look forward to working with you soon!
Categorised in: Water Purification System