{
  "page": "https://instabids.ai/us/how-to-flush-a-water-heater",
  "title": "How do you flush a water heater?",
  "skill": "us-answer@3.2.0",
  "evidence_date": "2026-10-24",
  "rows": [
    {
      "label": "Rheem's flushing article, tank heaters in most households",
      "quote": "\"For most households, it is recommended to flush your water heater once a year to help prevent sediment buildup and performance issues.\"",
      "source": "Rheem, How Often To Flush Your Water Heater (And How To Do It), read 24 October 2026",
      "url": "https://www.rheem.com/water-heating/articles/how-often-to-flush-your-water-heater-and-how-to-do-it/",
      "read": "2026-10-24",
      "fact_id": "us-pain-v3flush-rheem-once"
    },
    {
      "label": "Rheem's flushing article, tank heaters on hard water",
      "quote": "\"If you have hard water, it’s recommended to flush your system every 6 months.\"",
      "source": "Rheem, How Often To Flush Your Water Heater (And How To Do It), read 24 October 2026",
      "url": "https://www.rheem.com/water-heating/articles/how-often-to-flush-your-water-heater-and-how-to-do-it/",
      "read": "2026-10-24",
      "fact_id": "us-pain-v3flush-rheem-hard"
    },
    {
      "label": "A.O. Smith's direct-vent residential gas manual, flush interval",
      "quote": "\"It is recommended that the tank be drained and flushed every 6 months to remove sediment which may build up during operation.\"",
      "source": "A.O. Smith, Installation and Operating Manual, residential direct-vent gas water heaters (328740-000), read 24 October 2026",
      "url": "https://assets.hotwater.com/damroot/Original/10003/AOS-ProLine-Direct-Vent-Manual-English-328740-000_compressed.pdf",
      "read": "2026-10-24",
      "fact_id": "us-pain-v3flush-aos-6months"
    },
    {
      "label": "Bradford White's atmospheric vent gas manual, monthly maintenance item",
      "quote": "\"Monthly drain off a gallon of water to remove silt and sediment.\"",
      "source": "Bradford White, Installation and Operation Instruction Manual, atmospheric vent gas water heater (238-54725-00), read 24 October 2026",
      "url": "https://docs.bradfordwhite.com/I&O/238-54725-00_Current.pdf",
      "read": "2026-10-24",
      "fact_id": "us-pain-v3flush-bw-monthly"
    },
    {
      "label": "Bradford White's atmospheric vent gas manual, relief valve test",
      "quote": "\"At least once a year, check the combination temperature and pressure relief valve to ensure that the valve has not become encrusted with lime.\"",
      "source": "Bradford White, Installation and Operation Instruction Manual, atmospheric vent gas water heater (238-54725-00), read 24 October 2026",
      "url": "https://docs.bradfordwhite.com/I&O/238-54725-00_Current.pdf",
      "read": "2026-10-24",
      "fact_id": "us-pain-v3flush-bw-tp"
    },
    {
      "label": "Bradford White's atmospheric vent gas manual, anode rod inspection",
      "quote": "\"The anode rod should be inspected periodically (every 2 years) and replaced when necessary to prolong tank life.\"",
      "source": "Bradford White, Installation and Operation Instruction Manual, atmospheric vent gas water heater (238-54725-00), read 24 October 2026",
      "url": "https://docs.bradfordwhite.com/I&O/238-54725-00_Current.pdf",
      "read": "2026-10-24",
      "fact_id": "us-pain-v3flush-bw-anode"
    },
    {
      "label": "USGS national hardness bands, mg/L as calcium carbonate",
      "quote": "\"0 to 60 mg/L (milligrams per liter) as calcium carbonate is classified as soft; 61 to 120 mg/L as moderately hard; 121 to 180 mg/L as hard; and more than 180 mg/L as very hard.\"",
      "source": "U.S. Geological Survey Water Science School, Hardness of Water, read 24 October 2026",
      "url": "https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/hardness-water",
      "read": "2026-10-24",
      "fact_id": "us-pain-v3flush-usgs-bands"
    },
    {
      "label": "U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, water heater setting (national)",
      "quote": "\"urges all users to lower their water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.\"",
      "source": "U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Avoiding Tap Water Scalds (Publication 5098), read 24 October 2026",
      "url": "https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/5098.pdf",
      "read": "2026-10-24",
      "fact_id": "us-pain-v3flush-cpsc-120"
    }
  ]
}