How To Empty A Hot Water Tank

How to Drain a Hot Water Heater

When was the last time you lot drained your hot water heater? Hot water is something nosotros all take for granted, until it runs out. A cold shower is a brisk reminder of the importance of water heater maintenance.

Ane of the best preventative maintenance tasks homeowners can do to prolong the service life of their hot water heater is draining the unit. Draining your hot water tank removes sediment buildup, helping your water heater perform more efficiently, which can save you money. If the tank isn't annually drained, a hot h2o heater won't last as long, and the water may estrus more than slowly.

Draining Your Hot Water Heater

To drain your hot h2o heater, yous'll need a 3- to 4-foot section of garden hose with a plumbing fixtures that can connect to the drain valve at the lesser of the tank. This is oft the same type of fitting you utilize on your hose bib. Program to direct the flow of the hose into either a saucepan or a floor bleed, whichever is easiest for you. If you lot have a gas h2o heater, brainstorm by turning off the gas and extinguishing the pilot low-cal. For electrical water heaters, simply remove the plug from the wall or manually trip the circuit billow.

It'south non always necessary to drain the entire hot water tank. Since sediment and buildup settle on the bottom of the tank, you may drain a few gallons of water at a time until almost of the sediment is flushed out. This too prevents homeowners from accidently damaging the hot h2o heater past turning information technology on without water. This will also speed up the refill process, which can take a lot of time if the hot water tank is empty.

Turn off the water valve that supplies the hot water tank.
Attach the hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater.
Open that same valve.
Open the pressure relief valve.
Let the water to drain. Empty the bucket periodically if you're not using a flooring drain.
When the tank is empty, turn on the water supply valve.
Let the water to menstruation through the tank and out the drain valve until it runs clear.
Shut the drain valve and pressure relief valve so the tank can refill.
For electric water heater: Flip the circuit billow or plug the unit dorsum in.
For gas water heater: Turn on the gas and relight the airplane pilot light.

While this may seem like a simple task, in that location is the potential danger of flooding your basement. Hot water heater valves made of plastic or valves that have non been used in a while can leak. Ever keep a close eye on the valve afterward y'all close information technology to ensure the valve is not defective. Fifty-fifty a small-scale drip can turn into a big problem.

Professional person Plumbing Services

Draining a hot water heater is a maintenance task that many homeowners tin can do themselves. If you lot're not comfy doing this or would rather spend your fourth dimension in other ways, only contact your local Mr. Rooter or request a chore estimate online. If this is an emergency, nosotros're available 24/seven at 855-591-0128

If your hot h2o heater isn't performing well, no thing how clean the tank is, it may be time to replace it. Tin can't decide on whether to repair or replace your appliances? The appliance experts at Mr. Appliance can assistance you make that determination. Mr. Appliance is function of Neighbourly's network of brands committed to providing expert home services.

This blog is fabricated bachelor by Mr. Rooter LLC, for educational purposes only to give the reader general information and a general agreement on the specific subject above. The web log should not be used as a substitute for a licensed plumbing professional in your state or region. Check with metropolis and state laws before performing any household projection.

Jan 25, 2019