Water heater flush and anode rod
A licensed plumber drains the sediment from your water heater and replaces the rod that stops rust.
What this job involves
Hard water in the suburbs leaves sediment in the tank, which makes it rumble and wears it out. The plumber shuts the heater off, drains the tank through a hose, and flushes it until the water runs clear. The anode rod inside slowly rusts in place of the tank, and it gets replaced if it is used up. Illinois requires a licensed plumber for this. A very old heater with a stuck drain valve may not be worth flushing, and the plumber will say so.
What to have ready
- The age of the water heater, from the label
- Whether it is gas or electric
- Whether it has ever been flushed
- A photo of the heater and the space above it
What a fair price looks like
Most homeowners in our area pay between $150 and $350 for this job. Labor with the anode rod included. A licensed plumber is required.
This is a range to help you judge a quote, not a quote. The pro you are matched with gives you their own price, in writing for anything over $1,000, and you pay them directly. We charge the pro a small flat fee only after the job is done. We never ask you for payment.
What a good pro will ask you first
- How old is the heater?
- Gas or electric?
- Does it make a rumbling or popping noise?
- Is there room above the tank to pull the rod?
Why we only send a licensed plumbing pro
Illinois licenses plumbers statewide, and the law covers repairs and fixture swaps, not just new construction. Every plumbing request on this site goes only to a pro whose state license and contractor registration we have checked.