A water heater can last you many years if you take care of it. Every few months, you should check your water heater for leaks and flush it out to avoid buildup of sediment inside your tank.

Before draining and flushing your water heater, turn off the gas or electrical power and let the water cool down a little if you can. Close the incoming water valve, and attach a hose to the drain valve to run the water into a large bucket, or to a drain or the outdoors.

Open the drain valve, and turn on one hot water faucet somewhere in the house to let in air. When all the water has drained from the water heater, turn the cold water valve on and off until the water from the drain runs clear. Then close the drain valve and the hot water faucet, open the cold water valve, and turn the water back on.

This is also a good time to test the temperature- pressure relief valve, which keeps pressure from building up too much in the boiler. Lift or lower its handle. Water should drain from the overflow pipe. If it does not, call a repair professional.