Your home’s water heater is an essential appliance, providing you with the convenience of hot water whenever you need it. However, to maintain its efficiency and extend its lifespan, regular maintenance is crucial. One such maintenance task is draining your water heater to eliminate sediment build-up that occurs over time. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps to drain both an electric water heater and a gas water heater effectively.
Step 1: Turn Off the Water Heater
Whether you’re using an electric or gas water heater, the first step in the draining process is to turn off the unit. For a gas water heater, you’ll find a thermostat—turn it to the ‘pilot’ setting. If you’re using an electric water heater, you’ll need to find the circuit breaker controlling the heater in your home’s electrical panel and turn it off. This cuts off the power to the water heater, making it safe for you to proceed with the draining process.
Step 2: Allow the Water to Cool Down
The water in your hot water heater can be extremely hot, posing a risk of burns or scalding. Therefore, it’s necessary to allow the water in the tank to cool down before you start the draining process. This cooling period can take a few hours, but it’s a crucial safety step that shouldn’t be skipped.
Step 3: Shut Off the Water Supply
Once the water has cooled down, the next step is to stop the cold water supply to the heater. The water supply valve is typically located at the top of the heater. Turning this valve off ensures that no water flows into the tank as you drain it.
Step 4: Connect a Garden Hose to the Drain Valve
Next, you’ll need to connect a garden hose to the drain valve, which is located at the bottom of the tank. Make sure to connect the garden hose securely to avoid any leaks. Place the other end of the garden hose in a suitable floor drain or a designated area outside, ensuring the draining water will not cause any property damage or flooding.
Step 5: Open the Drain Valve
Slowly open the drain valve, allowing the water to flow out of the water heater and through the garden hose to the drain. Initially, the water that runs out may be discolored due to the sediment in the tank, but this is perfectly normal.
Step 6: Open the Pressure Relief Valve
To facilitate a smooth and efficient draining process, you’ll need to open the pressure relief valve, usually located at the top or side of your water heater. Opening this valve introduces air into the tank, which helps the water drain out more effectively.
Step 7: Let the Tank Drain
Draining a water heater isn’t a speedy process—it can take some time, up to 30 minutes or more depending on the size of your tank and the amount of sediment build-up. Be patient and let the water heater empty completely. As the water runs out of your hose, the flow may decrease, but this is a normal part of the process.
Step 8: Flush the Tank
After the tank is fully drained, it’s time to flush it. To do this, turn the cold water supply valve on and off several times. This action stirs up any remaining sediment at the bottom of the tank, helping to dislodge it and flush it out. Flushing ensures your tank is as clean as possible, enhancing your heater’s performance.
Step 9: Close the Drain Valve and Remove the Hose
Once the water runs clear, which indicates that most of the sediment has been flushed out, it’s time to close the drain valve. Ensure the valve is fully closed to prevent any leaks. Then, carefully remove the garden hose from the drain valve, being careful not to cause any damage.
Step 10: Refill the Tank and Turn on the Heater
With the drain valve closed, you can now turn the cold water supply back on, which will refill your tank. As the tank fills up, it’s a good idea to open a hot water tap or several hot water faucets in your home to allow air to escape from the system. Once the tank is fully refilled, you can restore power to the water heater by turning on the circuit breaker or relighting the pilot, depending on your type of heater.
Draining your water heater may seem like a complex task, but with careful following of these detailed steps, you’ll find it’s something you can comfortably handle. By doing so, you’ll enhance the performance of your water heater, extend its lifespan, and save money on potential costly repairs in the future due to sediment build-up. However, if you ever feel uncomfortable or uncertain, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional plumber.