A Straight Breakdown From a Plumber Who Does It Every Day
Let’s be honest — when someone quotes you $150 to flush a water heater, your first thought might be:
“Wait, I’m paying that much just to drain some water out of a tank?”
Totally fair.
But let me walk you through what actually goes into it — because it’s way more than just pulling a plug and watching water pour out.
First: Why Maintenance Even Matters
I’ve seen brand new heaters fail in under 5 years — and I’ve seen 15-year-old units running smooth.
The difference?
Maintenance.
Water in Sacramento is hard. Full of minerals.
Those minerals settle at the bottom of your tank (or coat your tankless unit’s internal parts), slowly cooking into scale.
Flushing removes that before it turns into rust, pressure problems, or full failure.
But here’s the thing — a real flush isn’t a 5-minute job.
So… What Are You Actually Paying For?
When we charge $150–200 for a flush, here’s what’s actually included:
1. The Setup (20–30 minutes)
- Shutting off gas, water, and power
- Setting up hoses, pumps, and descaling solutions
- Protecting surrounding floors or walls
- Checking water pressure and system condition before we start
You’re not just paying for the flush.
You’re paying for a safe, clean, professional job that doesn’t damage your system.
2. The Flush Itself (30–45 minutes)
For tank heaters:
- We drain the tank completely
- Break up sediment using pressure pulses
- Use mild solutions (like food-grade vinegar) to help lift buildup
- Refill and cycle through again
For tankless heaters:
- We pump descaler through the heat exchanger
- Clean intake screens and inline filters
- Check burner chamber and ignitor
This is where cheap companies cut corners — just draining water doesn’t do the job.
3. The Inspection
We check:
- Thermostat readings
- Pilot or ignitor status
- Signs of corrosion, rust, moisture
- Error codes (on tankless models)
- Gas connections and venting if applicable
Think of it like a mini “physical exam” for your heater.
4. Restart, Test, Adjust
Once we flush and clean, we:
- Refill and re-pressurize
- Bleed air from the system
- Relight (for gas models)
- Run temperature and pressure tests
- Make any minor adjustments if needed
Only after all that do we say, “You’re good to go.”
What You’re Not Paying For:
- A “quick drain and go”
- Some guy with a garden hose
- Guesswork or skipped safety checks
You’re paying for a complete service that protects your home, keeps your water clean, and extends the life of a $1,500+ appliance.
Why It’s Worth It
Here’s what I tell customers:
“You don’t service your heater to fix something today.
You do it to avoid a cold shower tomorrow — and a big bill next year.”
What We Do at Golden Valley Plumbing
We don’t do cheap.
We do clean, correct, and complete.
Our team:
- Uses the right equipment
- Flushes thoroughly — not just drains
- Checks every key component
- Answers your questions honestly
Want your heater looked at? Schedule with us — we’ll show you exactly what we’re doing and why it matters.
Final Thought
Water heater maintenance isn’t sexy.
But neither is mold from a leaking tank or the cost of replacing a unit that could’ve lasted five more years.
So when you pay for a flush — know what you’re really buying:
peace of mind, hot water, and long-term savings.
