The hot water heater often is found to be the cause of several common water quality complaints.

Just as water districts routinely flush their water distribution mains to refresh the delivery system, it's a good idea to flush your home's hot water heater once a year. Routine flushing will prevent sediment from building up, prolong the life and efficiency of your hot water heater, and prevent water quality problems in your home's hot water system.

Unmaintained hot water heaters can yield water that is brown, black, has unidentifiable particles, and/or has a musty or rotten egg odor.

If you are noticing white ‘eggshell’ particles in your sink aerators and in the hot water hose of your washing machine, and the particles melt when heated, the problem is likely due to a failure of your hot water heater dip tube.

Here's a step-by-step guide to flushing a hot water heater.

Warning: if you have an older hot water heater that has not been maintained regularly, the bottom valve may already be corroded and may make it impossible to shut the valve after flushing. If you are in doubt or if you do not feel comfortable performing home maintenance tasks such as these, contact a plumber for assistance.

1. Hook up a garden hose to the faucet located at the bottom of your hot water heater.

2. Place the other end of the hose so that it can drain to the gutter, sink or flower bed. The water coming out will be hot, so be careful where you place the end of the hose.

3. Turn on the valve slowly and allow to drain until the water coming out of the hose is tepid and/or is clear.

4. Turn off valve and remove hose.