It is recommended that a water heater flush is performed once a year at minimum with twice a year being a better practice. If you have harder water then a more frequent flush may be beneficial. Flushing your tank prevents mineral and sediment deposits from building up and possibly damaging or corroding the components and causing the water heating process to be less effective and in rare occasions causing the tank to fail. The lifespan of your water heater, determined by the manufacturer, is for a properly maintained water heater.

However, if a water heater hasn’t been properly maintained and flushed for a few years then it’s possible a flush could actually cause more damage by displacing sediment and uncovering a small leak.

If you are noticing a decrease in the amount of hot water or it’s taking longer for hot water to arrive at your fixture then it could be a sign of damage or corrosion to components signaling it might be time to consider replacing your water heater.