How To Drain Hot Water Heater

Your hot water heater manual will suggest that you drain your hot water heater every 6 to 12 months. Doing this to your hot water heater helps to remove the sediment that builds up the bottom of your tank. This sediment can cause your hot water heater to have to work harder, which will increase your energy bills and cause you not to have enough hot water. Ultimately causing it to fail.

Doing proper maintenance on your hot water heater, including drain hot water heater, will ensure that it lasts for many years. You will want to ensure that you follow all instructions to ensure that your hot water heater is drained properly. If you are unsure of doing it yourself, call a professional plumber to do this for you.

Preparation for Draining Your Water Heater

When learning how to drain hot water heater, the first thing you will need to do is to be prepared. Look at your drain valves and see if it is plastic. If it is, you will need to replace it with a better quality valve. It is always a good idea to have an extra valve with you as your hot water heater has been sitting for 6 to 12 months, and it may not close again completely. It may leak if you do not replace it. A leaking hot water valvecan cause your hot water heater to work harder and can cause damage to your floors over time. Only replace the valve with a top-quality valve that is made for your water heater.

Starting the Water Heater Drain

Here are the 6 steps to do the water heater drain. Make sure that you follow these exactly to ensure that your water heater is drained properly.

1. Flush the System

Attach your garden hose to the drain valve and flush the water tank while the water pressure is still on. You will need to open the drain valve for a second and then close it again. This will allow the pressure to blow out the sediment that is stuck in the valve. By doing this, you will help the tank drain faster. If you notice a lot of sediment coming out, do this quick flush several times until the water runs clear.

2. Turn Off The Power

Shut off the power or turn off the gas off to your water heater. You will then want to shut off the water by either shutting off the cold water pipe that supplies water to the hot water heater or the main water supply. Go back to your water faucets in the house, and make sure that there is no hot water coming out before beginning the next step.

3. Open the Drain Valve

Make sure that you have the drain hose attached, and then open the drain valve. You will notice that the drain will move slowly until the vacuum in the tank is released. To release the vacuum, you will need to remove one end of the hot water pipe. This hot water pipe will be above your hot water heater. You will need to move it to the side to allow air into the tank. Once the air is in the tank, the water will begin to push out of the water heater drain.

4. Flush the Tank

Once your tank has been fully drained, you will now want to flush it with water. You can do this by turning on the water for a few seconds and then letting it drain. You will want to leave the hot water pipe disconnected until you finish the flush. Make sure that you reconnect the pipe before refilling the water heater.

5. Refilling the Water Heater

Go to one of your sinks and turn the hot water side on. This will help to remove all the air out of your lines. Disconnect the drain hose and hook up the valve. You want to make sure the hot water pipe above the hot water heater is hooked up and tightened well. Once you start getting hot water out of the lines, you can then turn on the water. Make sure that you turn the hot water heater’s power back on. You should have hot water within an hour.

6. Check the Drain Valve

The last thing that you need to do is to check the drain valve. Look for any leaks. If you see any leaks, make sure that you place a cover over the leak or you replace the drain valve.

Now you have learned how to drain hot water heater. If you have any issues during this process, be sure to call our Rapid Response Team here at Olson Superior Plumbing. Our team is fully trained and can flush your heater for you without any issues. You can also have them replace the valve if you think that it might leak or it is a plastic one.