Central Valley water is hard, and hardness turns into sediment on the bottom of your tank. Sediment insulates the burner from the water, so the tank works harder, rumbles, runs out of hot water early and eventually fails.
An annual flush removes it. It takes under an hour and it is the single cheapest thing you can do to protect a water heater. On well water, twice a year is smarter.
The anode rod matters just as much. It is a sacrificial metal rod that corrodes so your tank does not, and once it is consumed the tank starts rusting from the inside. Checking it every couple of years can add real years to the unit.
Add a softener if your hardness is high, test the T&P valve, and keep the temperature around 120 degrees. Then call us at 209.838.1000 when it is time for the flush.
Need a plumber in the 209 & 350?
Family owned in Escalon since 2010. CA Lic. #953726 (C-36 Plumbing). Flat-rate quotes before we start.