Flushing your water heater should be performed at least once a year to remove sediment that accumulates on the bottom of the tank. This is especially important if you live in a hard water area. 

Sediment buildup reduces the heating efficiency of your water heater. It can cause your tank to leak or cause pressure to build up and release out the pressure release valve.

We recommend hiring a plumber to flush your water heater, however there are many simple tutorials that can be found online for those inclined to do this themselves.