How To Drain Hot Water Heater In Basement

What Would Bob Do? Draining a Water Heater

Image courtesy of shutterstock.com I’ve just finished draining my water heater for the first time since it was installed in 1989.24 years ago today! I stopped after approximately five minutes since the water came out incredibly clear and there was no trace of any silt. Is this a sign that my heater is devoid of any sediment? Whatever sort of storage tank water heater you have, draining your water heater at least once a year is a good practice. Over time, sediment accumulates within the appliance, reducing its energy efficiency and causing blockages in other fixtures throughout the house, including the kitchen sink.

To remove sediment from a water heater, it is necessary to drain it not just for five minutes, but for as long as it takes for the water heater to entirely empty.

STEP 1: Check the pressure-relief valve.

Before you empty a water heater, make sure it has a pressure-relief valve, which is the device that prevents the tank from exploding due to excessive pressure. You must confirm that the valve is operating correctly in order to do so. Turn off the water heater’s electricity supply. (If the unit is powered by electricity, simply shut it down.) If it is a gas-powered heater, turn it to “pilot” mode to conserve energy.) After that, open the cold water supply line valve by pulling the lever on the valve.

Once you’ve opened the valve, listen for air and look for water to confirm that it’s working.

In addition, if you open the pressure-release valve and nothing happens—no hissing air, no pouring water—it is likely that the valve has to be replaced.

STEP 2: Run your drain line.

Connect a garden hose to the water heater drain and run it to the outside of your house. You’ll most likely need at least two pieces of pipe if the tank is below grade (for example, in the basement). One will go from the tank to a portable pump, and the other will run from the pump to an outside collection container. In most cases, if your water heater is not in the basement, gravity should be able to handle the job. Allow enough time for the water in the heater to cool down (a few hours at the very least) before opening the drain valve to be on the safe side.

STEP 3: Flush your tank.

After you’ve opened all of the hot water taps in your home, you’ll want to open the water heater drain valve as well. In the event that you have opted to utilize a pump, this is the moment to turn it on. Allow the tank to completely empty before turning on the water supply (short bursts of water may help to dislodge any sediment buildup). Make sure there isn’t any silt blocking or slowing down your drain valve’s flow by doing the following: Remove the drain valve, in other words, to allow the sediment to leave through a bigger hole.

Using a long screwdriver or dowel to dislodge silt after the valve has been removed may be beneficial. Keep a number of big buckets on standby to catch any excess water. –

STEP 4: Finish up.

Re-start the water supply after the water flowing out of your tank looks to be running clean once more. Next, close the water heater’s drain valve and switch on the cold water supply to the house. It’s also important to remember to restore the pressure-relief valve to its original position. Close all of the hot water taps in your home (which you had previously switched on in Step 3) and, lastly, reconnect the electricity to your water heater, which should now be clear of sediment after you completed Step 3.

Your access to this site has been limited by the site owner

Your ability to use this service has been restricted. (Response code 503 from the HTTP server) If you believe you have been blocked in error, you should contact the site’s administrator for assistance. You must enter your email address in the space below and click “Send” if you are a WordPress user with administrative access on this site. After that, you will receive an email with instructions on how to recover access.

Block Technical Data

Block Reason:	Access from your area has been temporarily limited for security reasons.
Time:	Sat, 26 Feb 2022 5:16:45 GMT

About Wordfence

Wordfence is a security plugin for WordPress that has been installed on more than 4 million websites. Wordfence is being used by the site’s owner to control who has access to their site. You may also read the documentation to understand more about Wordfence’s blocking features, or you can visit wordfence.com to find out more about Wordfence in general. For further information, please see the following link: Documentation generated by Wordfence on Saturday, February 26th, 2022, 5:16:45 a.m. EST.

How to Drain a Water Heater

Is it necessary to empty your water heater? Yes. To avoid scaling and silt from collecting inside the tank, you should perform this procedure once a year, or even more frequently if you have hard water. Sediment might have the appearance of sand, yet it is composed of minerals derived from your home’s water supply. As a result, these minerals do not dissolve and instead condense into little particles within your unit. Unfortunately, if left unchecked, this build-up may create substantial concerns, including time and money savings by decreasing the unit’s efficiency and functioning, as well as the possibility of the water heater failing prematurely, leading you to lose time and money.

How to Flush a Water Heater:

1. If your water heater isn’t working, should you empty it? Yes. To avoid scaling and silt from collecting inside the tank, you should perform this task once a year, or even more often if you have hard water. It may appear like sand at first glance, but sediment is composed of minerals derived from your home’s water source. These minerals do not dissolve and, as a result, become particulates within your unit’s structure. Unfortunately, if left unchecked, this build-up can result in serious difficulties, including decreased efficiency and functioning, as well as the possibility of the water heater failing prematurely, which will cost you both time and money. A water heater’s drain and flush procedure is demonstrated in this video by This Old House plumbing and heating professional Richard Trethewey.

How to Tell if Your Water Heater Has Sediment Build-Up

There are a number of symptoms that your water heater has a sediment build-up, including the following ones:

• Despite the fact that energy use has not increased, energy costs have grown. The hot water runs out before it should
• When the water heater is operating, it generates a lot of noise. Your hot water appears to be rusted or has a foul odor
• It takes an extremely long time for the hot water to come to temperature
• There is inconsistency and fluctuation in the water temperature.

Draining a water heater is a relatively simple task that most homeowners can complete on their own. However, if the water does not drain or if the heater’s performance issues persist after flushing the unit, a professional will be able to identify other potential problems that may not be apparent to the homeowner.

How to Drain a Water Heater

Video Playback is not supported at this time. Every year, draining your water heater eliminates sediment that might cause it to work harder and cost you more money to run the heater.

• The first step is to cut off the electricity or gas to the water heater. After that, close the cold water supply valve, which will prevent water from flowing into the heater. Glue a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and let it flow on the ground outside
• Activate the drain valve that is connected to the hose. Pulling up on the pressure release valve on the tank’s top will allow it to be opened. Allowing the water in the tank to drain is recommended. If there is still sediment in the tank after it has been emptied, open the cold water valve for several minutes to flush it out. Close the drain valve as well as the pressure relief valve and let the tank to fill up again. If the heater is powered by gas, relight the pilot and switch it on
• If your water heater is electric, you’ll need to reset the breaker to restore electricity.

For more information, please visit our video on Water Heater Upkeep and Repair.

Further Reading

• It is critical to drain a hot water heater once it has been plugged with a toilet tank and bowl leak detection kit. How to Check for Leaks in the Toilet Tank and Bowl

A Step-by-Step Guide for Draining a Water Heater

It is important to drain and flush your hot water heater on a regular basis in order to maintain the life of your equipment, keep your energy expenses low, and guarantee that your system is operating at peak performance. Get quotations from as many as three professionals! Enter your zip code below to get matched with top-rated professionals in your area. It is possible that the hot water heater is the most difficult to maintain item in your home, but it is also the device that you give the least thought to.

To be sure, you should not wait until there are indicators of difficulty before giving your home’s hot water heater some attention.

In fact, with a little amount of preventative maintenance, you can keep your water heater running well for years to come. One of the most effective methods of promoting water heater health? Draining and flushing should be done on a regular basis.

When to Drain and Flush Your Hot Water Heater

It is important to drain and flush your hot water heater on a regular basis in order to maintain the life of your equipment, keep your energy expenses low, and guarantee that your system is operating at peak efficiency. Get bids from as many as three professionals at the same time. To find top-rated professionals in your area, enter your zip code below. It’s possible that the hot water heater in your house is the most difficult to maintain, but it’s also the equipment that you give the least thought to.

The hot water heater in your house should not be neglected until it shows indications of wear and tear.

A good approach to keep your water heater in good working order: Maintenance should be performed on a regular basis.

Why You Should Drain and Flush Your Hot Water Heater

It is important to drain and flush your hot water heater on a regular basis in order to extend the life of your equipment, keep your energy expenses down, and guarantee that your system is operating at peak performance. Receive estimates from up to three professionals! Enter your zip code in the box below to be matched with top-rated professionals in your area. The hot water heater may likely be the most difficult-to-maintain device in your home, yet it is also the appliance that you give the least thought to.

However, you should not wait for indicators of difficulty to begin caring for your home’s hot water heater.

What is one of the most effective methods of promoting water heater health?

How to Drain and Flush a Water Heater

While it is critical to drain and cleanse your hot water heater, the good news is that it is a reasonably quick and simple do-it-yourself project. Here’s how to go about it: 1.Review the owner’s handbook for your water heater, as well as the directions placed on the side of the tank. These will assist you in identifying the locations of all of the relevant drains and valves. 2. Disconnect the heater’s power source from the wall outlet. If you have an electric water heater, locate the circuit breaker for your heater in your home’s electrical panel and turn it down.

1. In order to use a gas water heater, you must first turn the gas supply valve to the “Pilot” position.
2. Shut down the water supply to your water heater.
3. However, if there is no valve, you will need to cut off the water supply at the water meter in your house.
4. 5.
5. Additionally, you’ll want to keep youngsters and pets away from the faucets and drains while working.
6. This will relieve pressure in the line and avoid the formation of a vacuum, which would prevent your system from entirely draining and flushing.
7. Drain water from the closed drain valve by attaching a garden hose to it and placing the other end in a drain bucket, sink, or outside.

Again, take care to keep children and pets away from the discharge area because the water may still be hot at this point.

It is possible to rent these pumps from home improvement businesses for a reasonable fee if you cannot afford to purchase them outright.

Completely open the drain valve by twisting it in the counter-clockwise direction.

9.

The water should flow clear and free of sediment when the hose is disconnected.

Turn off the water supply valve and seal the drain valve, making sure the drain is completely closed and free of leaks.

Reconnect the water supply line and check the faucets in the sink and shower that you had previously shut off.

If this is not the case, continue the drain and flush process until the water flowing from the faucets is clean.

It is now time to connect and turn on your water heater once more.

Turn on the gas supply line if you’re using a gas water heater.

Set the temperature of your water heater to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit to assist maximum energy efficiency while also preventing bacterial development. That’s all there is to it! You’re all prepared for another year of hot showers and freshly laundered clothes.

How to Drain a Hot Water Heater

While it is critical to drain and cleanse your hot water heater, the good news is that it is a reasonably simple and straightforward DIY project. Listed below is the procedure: Read the owner’s handbook for your water heater and any directions that are displayed on the side of your tank before you start working on it. The location of all of the relevant drains and valves will be easier to locate with the aid of this guide. Switch off the power to your heater by following these steps: 2. In the case of electric water heaters, locate the circuit breaker for your heater in your home’s electrical panel and turn it off completely.

1. The “Pilot” setting on the gas supply valve will be required for natural-gas-fueled water heaters.
2. Shut down the water supply to your water heater.
3. If your heater is equipped with a valve that is attached to its water supply line, you may simply turn the water off at that point.
4. Allow the water in the tank to cool before using it, or switch on the hot water taps in your house to replace the hot water in your heater with cold water.
5. While you’re working, you’ll want to keep youngsters and pets away from the faucets and drains.
6. A vacuum will not form as a result of this, and your system will be unable to drain and flush entirely as a result of the pressure released in the line.
7. 6.

To achieve a strong water flow, the hose should be placed lower than the drain valve.

If your water heater is placed in your basement, you may require a transfer pump to carry the water from the tank to the surface of your basement floor and out of your basement.

7.

Once the water stops flowing from the hose, open the water supply valve, which can be found at the top of the tank or near the water meter.

9.

10.

Reconnect the water supply line and check the taps in the sink and shower that you had previously turned on.

Maintain the cleanliness and clarity of the water flowing from these faucets.

Turn off the taps as soon as the water pressure in the faucets has returned to normal.

You are now ready to reconnect your garden hose and turn on your water heater once more.

Gas water heaters need that the supply line be activated before they may be used.

The temperature of your water heater should be set around 1400 degrees Fahrenheit to assist you save money on electricity while also preventing bacterial development. Then you’re done! You’re all prepared for another year of hot showers and freshly laundered clothing.

1. Turn off the water heater if it is still running. If you have a gas hot water heater, make sure that the thermostat is in the “off” position and that the gas valve is also in the “off” position. If you have an electric water heater, turn off the circuit breaker that supplies it with electricity. Turn off the cold water supply valve to the faucet. Making sure no extra water is entering the tank will be necessary. Open the hot water faucet in a sink or tub if it is available. In order to prevent a vacuum from building in the water line, this should be left open during the whole draining operation. Allow time for the water to cool. You don’t want to be wasting time draining hot water, so allow the hot water in your tank to cool for a few hours. To drain the hot water tank, connect a garden hose to the drain valve. The other end of the hose should be placed in a bucket or outside if at all feasible. A portable pump may be required if your hot water heater is located in the basement and you want to transport the water above ground level and outside. Drain the water by opening the drain valve. Disconnect and drain the hot water heater fully, or until the water flowing out of the valve seems clean and free of sediment. Fill the tank with water. Turn on the cold water supply for a few minutes to flush out the tank after turning it off. Before turning it back on, make sure everything is in its proper place. To finish, remove the garden hose, stop the drain valve, bring the cold water supply back to the open position, and then turn on the hot water heater’s electricity.

Having trouble figuring out how to drain a hot water heater? At Evam Canada, we provide water heater maintenance services to ensure that your water heater is operating at peak performance! Water heater service specialists who are knowledgeable with all makes and models can handle everything from minor repairs to the installation of a brand-new water heater for your home or business. To schedule a servicing appointment for your hot water heater, please call us right away!

Post navigation

How to Drain a Water Heater in One Quick Step

• Step 1: Turn off the water and the water heater. Step 2:Connect the hose to the drain location. Step three: Inspect the pressure relief valve. Step 4: Turn on the hot water faucets. Step 5: Turn on the drain valve. Step 6: Empty the tank. Step 7: Fill the tank with water and switch on the water heater.

Water and water heater should be disconnected first. 2.Connect the hose to the drainage system. The next step is to inspect the pressure relief valve. Activate hot water taps in the house in Step 4. Drain valve should be opened in step 5. 6) Flush the tank with fresh water. 7. Fill the tank and switch on the hot water heater.

Know When to Drain the Tank

Step 1: Disconnect the water supply and the water heater. Step 2: Connect the hose to the drain location. The next step is to check the pressure relief valve. Step 4: Turn on the hot water faucets; Step 5: Disconnect the drain valve. Step 6: Empty the tank; Step 7:Refill the tank and switch on the water heater.

How to Drain a Water Heater

The first step in this project is to make sure that your water heater is turned off before you begin. With a gas water heater, you may accomplish this by setting the knob to “pilot.” The circuit breaker that controls your electric heater must be found and turned off in order to prevent damage to the heater from occurring. Typically, the water heater is protected by a separate circuit breaker. It will be necessary to turn off the cold water that feeds into the tank as well, which can be accomplished by twisting a knob located at the top of the tank in the opposite direction.

Step 2: Run the Drain Line to a Good Draining Location

First and foremost, check sure your water heater is turned off before proceeding. With a gas water heater, you may accomplish this by turning the knob to “pilot.” The circuit breaker that regulates your electric heater must be located and turned off before you may use your heater. It’s common for a water heater to have its own circuit breaker. You’ll also want to turn off the cold water that feeds into the tank by twisting the knob at the top of the tank in the opposite direction of the water flow (counterclockwise).

Step 3: Check Your Pressure Relief Valve

When it is not a “must-do” step in the process, inspecting your pressure relief valve while cleansing your water heater is always a good idea regardless of whether it is necessary. It will aid in the release of pressure in the tank, preventing the formation of a vacuum. You just switch the latch on a valve located on the cold water pipe that supplies the tank in order to do this task. The valve is in excellent operating condition when you hear a hiss and see water spurting out – it’s a good idea to do this with a bucket or cloth nearby, by the way — which indicates that the valve is in good working order.

You’ll need to contact a plumber in order to have the valve evaluated and maybe replaced if this is the case.

Step 4: Open the Hot Water Faucets in Your Home

Start all of your hot water taps in your house at the same time to alleviate even more pressure in the tank and aid in its emptying. If you want, you may just turn on the hot water tap that is nearest to the tank. Additional Related Articles:

• How to Relight the Pilot Light on Your Water Heater
• Don’t Forget to Flush the System! The following is a 6-Step Guide for Flushing Your Gas or Electric Water Heater: What is a Smart Water Heater and how does it work? Find out how much it will cost to replace a water heater
• Whether a tankless water heater is worth the investment.

Step 5: Open Your Drain Valve

Prepare your bucket or pump system, and then release the drain valve located towards the bottom of the tank to allow the water to drain. A built-in knob is normally available for this valve, however it is occasionally necessary to put a flat-head screwdriver into a slot and turn it counterclockwise to operate it properly. It is at this moment that water will begin to pour out of the tank in large quantities, so be prepared to collect or redirect it as soon as possible. In order to empty your bucket, you can shut off the valve whatever many times you need.

Step 6: Flush the Tank

However, even though much of the sediment will be removed simply by draining the tank, it’s always a good idea to check that your water heater is completely clear of sediment by flushing it with cold water. To do so, just turn the cold water knob at the top of the tank back on and let it run until the water drains completely out of the hose linked to the drain valve, which should take around 15 minutes. If the water flow stops at any time throughout the draining process, you’ll want to remove the hose and use a tiny screwdriver or awl to scrape away any debris that may have accumulated in the output.

Step 7: Refill the Tank and Turn It Back On

Remove the drain knob from the water heater once it has been completely cleansed and the output is flowing freely again. Ensure that you close your pressure release valve if you had previously opened it. Then, reconnect the cold water supply line at the top of the tank by turning it back on. Make your way to the hot water spigots that you previously unlocked and wait for the water to start flowing through them. When this occurs, you will be able to turn them off. Depending on the type of water heater you have, you will need to either turn the electricity back on or the gas back on.

Use These Tips to Drain a Water Heater Properly

Remove the drain knob from the water heater once it has been completely cleansed and the output is running cleanly. If you opened your pressure release valve previously, be careful to close it. Then, reconnect the cold water supply line at the top of the tank by turning it on again. Make your way to the hot water spigots that you previously unlocked and wait for the water to begin flowing through them. You will be able to turn them off after this is accomplished.

In order to restart your water heater, either the electric or gas should be turned on again. After that, you should be able to enjoy another year or two of warm water provided by a fully operating unit without any further problems arising.

Before You Begin

Remove the drain knob once your water heater has been completely cleansed and the output is running clear. If you opened your pressure release valve previously, make sure to close it. After that, reconnect the cold water feed at the top of the tank. Make your way to the hot water spigots that you previously opened and wait for water to begin to flow through them. You will be able to turn them off once this occurs. Depending on the type of water heater you have, you may need to either turn the electricity back on or the gas back on.

Safety Considerations

When doing this procedure, you will be working with water that can be quite hot. It is possible that you will need to switch off your hot water heater many hours before you begin in order to allow the water in the tank to calm down before you begin. If you are unable to do so, use heavy-duty rubber work gloves to protect your hands from any splashes and safety glasses to protect your eyes from any hot water droplets that may fall over them.

Materials

• Drain valve (if necessary)
• Threaded hose cap (if necessary)
• Drain valve (if necessary)

Kevin Norris’s The Spruce is a novel about a young man who grows up in the woods.

Perform a Quick Flush

• Using a garden hose connected to the drain valve, attempt to clean the water heater tank a little bit while the water pressure is still on before shutting off the water supply. In order to accomplish this, first open the drain valve for a few seconds before closing it again. The pressure will blast away any silt that has become lodged in the valve, allowing the tank to empty more quickly. If a significant amount of sediment is expelled, you may need to repeat the process several times. Make certain that you’ve connected your garden hose to an outdoor place or into a bucket in order to collect the water and sediment that will be emitted from the faucet. The Spruce / Kevin Norris
• The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Turn Off the Water Heater

• Turn off the gas to your water heater, or turn off the electricity if you have an electric water heater. Remove water by shutting off the valve on the cold-water pipe above the water heater or the main water supply valve to the home, whichever is most convenient. Test the hot water faucets around the home by turning them on and checking for water to ensure that the pressure has been released. Water may flood out at first, but if the water has been cut off properly, it should rapidly decrease to a trickle and then stop. It is important to leave a hot water faucet open in the sink closest to your hot water heater in order to relieve pressure in the entire system. The Spruce / Kevin Norris
• The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Open the Drain Valve

• Stop using your water heater by turning off the gas to it or turning off the electricity if it is an electric water heater. Turn off the water by turning off the valve in the cold-water pipe above the water heater or by turning off the main water supply valve to the entire home. Test the hot water faucets in the house by turning them on and checking for water to ensure that the pressure is no longer present. If the water has been correctly switched off, it may first pour out, but it should shortly decrease to a trickle. It is important to leave a hot water faucet open in the sink closest to your hot water heater in order to relieve pressure in the plumbing system. Kevin Norris’s novel The Spruce

Flush the Tank With Water

• Once the tank has been completely drained, you may flush it with a few gallons at a time by turning on the water for a few seconds and then allowing it to drain out again until it is completely empty. When the outflow is clean, you’ll know that you’ve successfully eliminated the sediment and may proceed to the following phase in the process. The Spruce / Kevin Norris
• The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Refill the Water Heater

• Close the drain valve and remove the garden hose from the system. Make certain that all but one of your home’s hot water faucets are turned off (the one in the bathtub closest to the water heater is best). You may now re-start the water heater by turning the water back on. After that, keep an eye on the faucet you left open and, as soon as you notice that you are receiving nothing but water out of it, turn it off. The Spruce / Kevin Norris
• The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Relight the Water Heater

• Re-ignite the water heater’s pilot light, or if it’s an electric heater, re-energize the circuit breaker. You should be able to use hot water after an hour or so. The Spruce / Kevin Norris
• The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Check the Drain Valve

1. Check for leaks at the spout of your water heater to see if the drain on the heater has completely closed. If the outlet does not completely close, you can stop the leak by placing a threaded hose cap over the hose thread of the outlet. Alternatively, you can replace the valve entirely. The Spruce / Kevin Norris
2. The Spruce / Kevin Norris

How To Drain Your Water Heater to Remove Sediment

If you are going on a lengthy vacation, should you empty your water heater? (NOTE: Perhaps, or perhaps not! (Click HERE to read NH’s thoughts on this matter!) A customer contacted me around 15 years ago, requesting that I remove an orphan hot water tank that had been sitting in her basement for more than 20 years. The removal of old tanks from the basement is something that some people don’t bother with. They just replace the old one with a new one adjacent to it. You’re right. over there in the corner, next to the rusted ’62 Chevy, is where it’s at!

My guess is that they designed the house around the antiquated water heater.

The ancient well that had served this home for so many years had certainly brought up a lot of grit with it!

No, Virginia, it is not absolutely necessary to drain the gunk from the bottom of your tank every year!

However, if your water heater is only a few years old or if you have recently purchased a new house, you should empty it to see how much sediment has built in the tank. The quantity of silt that you detect in the drained water will aid you in determining the frequency with which you will flush in the future.

What is the sediment, and why is it a problem?

It is basically any solid substance that is not dissolved in water that is referred to as sediment. Typically, this is sand or other grit from a well, but it might also be anything else that has gotten into the municipal water mains. A little quantity of “stuff” is always traveling through the pipes of many municipal water systems because they are not filtered. It is in the bottom of the tank that this “stuff” collects. An enormous one-time blast of sediment can enter your property when the Water Company (applause, please) washes out its lines, and this might cause flooding.

• This is the method through which sediment is removed from the main lines.
• Most water providers make an effort to notify homeowners when flushing is taking place in their region, and they encourage them not to run the water.
• Small accumulations of silt do not pose a severe threat to the environment.
• The majority of individuals have heard or been instructed at some point not to drink hot water from the faucet, but many are ignorant of the rationale for this.
• As you may be aware, hot water has the ability to dissolve compounds that would otherwise remain insoluble in cold water, and in higher amounts.

Furthermore, the chlorine in the water has an influence on the sediment, which may result in the formation of undesirable and potentially harmful chemical compounds. All the more incentive to maintain the sediment level in the tank at a bare minimum.

Clearing sediment from the hot water tank:

Note from NH: Replacing the factory-installed drain valve can significantly improve the efficiency with which your water heater drains. Curious? More information may be found here. 1) Choose the one that best suits your water heater. whether to use gas or electricity:

• Turn off the electricity to the water heater if it is still plugged in. This is quite important. If an electric heating element is turned on while the water heater is not submerged in water, it will burn out, perhaps resulting in the need to replace the complete water heater. If you have a gas hot water heater, you may be able to complete this operation while keeping the gas switched on, but on the lowest temperature setting. You must not, however, allow the tank to deplete to more than 3/4 of its capacity. If you use a bucket to measure the amount of water you drain, this will be much easy to determine. For your first flushing of your tank, though, I would recommend a complete flush, which would need turning the gas to “pilot,” which will take longer. Instead of depleting the tank completely, you may conduct “touchups” later by draining a section of it down.

Remove the COLD water supply to the tank by turning it off. 3) Connect a garden hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of the tank and turn it on. Drain the water via the hose to a convenient spot. If you’re using a low-cost garden hose, proceed with caution. When hot water is passed through them, some of them become extremely mushy and may even leak! Those of you who do not have a sump pit in your basement or a drain in the basement floor have my sympathy. With a bucket, this drain-down process might take a long time!

• and use caution if you are using a soft plastic bucket.
• 4) Turn on any faucet that has hot water on it, if possible.
• Miller’s time has come.
• NOTE: If the drain valve becomes clogged, switch on the cold water supply to the tank in order to “blast” through the obstruction with high pressure water.
• Because of the churning motion of the cold water in the tank, more sediment will be loosen up in the tank as a result of this.
• Moreover, when sediment begins to jam the drain valve, you should switch on the cold water supply to the tank, which will aid in loosening the silt and blasting it out of the tank’s interior.
• Look at the water coming out of the drain.

Close the drain valve and enable the tank to fill by turning on the cold water supply valve and turning it on.

You may now re-start the water heating system by turning on the power or gas.

This is dependent on the quality and source of your water supply.

It is recommended to do a partial drain down once a year if there is any sediment in the tank, and once every two to three years otherwise.

Even a partial drain down may cause the higher heating element to be exposed to the air, resulting in irreparable damage.

Is there any way to keep this sediment from accumulating in the tank?

It is possible to earn significant savings by installing a whole-house filtration system, especially if you have turbid well water. If you have some basic plumbing abilities, they are quite simple to install and may assist to decrease silt collection while also extending the life of all your plumbing fixtures and appliances.

They are also rather inexpensive. Of course, depending on the fury with which your filtration system operates, certain dissolved minerals may still collect in the tank over time, albeit in less substantial quantities. To return to the Water Heater Article Index, click here.

How to Drain Your Hot Water Tank (And Why You Should!) — Multi Trade Building Services

It is possible to make significant savings by installing a whole-house filtration system, particularly if you have turbid well water. If you have some basic plumbing abilities, they are quite simple to install and may assist to decrease silt collection as well as extend the life of all your plumbing fixtures and appliances. They are also rather inexpensive. Although some dissolved minerals may still collect in the tank over time, depending on the vigor with which your filtration system operates, the amounts should be insignificant.

Why should I flush my water tank?

Installation of an entire home filtration system may make a significant difference, especially if you have hard well water. If you have some basic plumbing abilities, they are quite simple to install and may assist to decrease silt collection while also extending the life of all your plumbing fixtures and appliances. Of course, depending on the fury with which your filtering system operates, certain dissolved minerals may still collect in the tank, albeit in less significant quantities. To return to the Water Heater Article Index, click on the link below.

What about my gas hot water tank?

In addition, sediment can reduce the effectiveness of the burner in a gas water heater. Have you ever experienced cracking and popping noises when your furnace was heating up? This is due to the silt that has accumulated in your tank. Sediment builds up in a gas hot water tank, forming a thick, crusty layer on the surface. This reduces the amount of heat that is transferred from the burner to the water in the tank. This is a waste of energy and, more importantly, of your money! In the long run, this can create corrosion in the tank, which may produce a major problem if your tank begins to leak all over your floor.

This will guarantee that your water heater performs at its best.

Can sediment affect my plumbing pipes or water?

Fortunately, the quick answer is “yes!” The sediment or crusty stuff that collects at the bottom of your tank has the potential to break loose and become caught in the pipes that distribute water throughout your home. This might cause the flow of water via your pipes and faucets to become more difficult to control. It also has the potential to clog the drain valve on your hot water tank, making it hard to drain the tank without a major plumbing repair job.

An important word of advice:

Yes, in a nutshell, it is! The sediment or crusty stuff that collects at the bottom of your tank has the potential to break loose and become caught in the pipes that supply water to the rest of your residence. Your pipes and faucets may become less responsive as a result of this. It also has the potential to clog the drain valve on your hot water tank, making it hard to drain the tank without a major plumbing repair.

Speaking from experience.

The reason I warn you with the word of advise above is that we had exactly that scenario occur with a client of ours and we wanted to share our experience with you. Approximately 7 years ago, I published a simple advice to draining your hot water tank in a newsletter that I had written. After eight years in his house, my client realized that he had never drained the tank and decided that it would be a good idea to do so now that the weather was getting warmer. He diligently followed all of my directions before calling me in a panic because there was water coming out into his basement floor and he needed me to come immediately.

He, on the other hand, had not anticipated such a problem as a result of following my detailed directions.

It was clear that they had been there for a long time, and the sediment itself was preventing the leak from occurring again.

Our customer ended up needing to purchase a new hot water tank, but he ended up saving a significant amount of money over the long run since his new tank was far more energy efficient. Our client now flushes his hot water tank once every six months as a preventative measure.

One important first step

The first step is to identify where the drain valve is located on your tank. It has the appearance of a little outside faucet. Before draining your hot water tank, we highly advise that you cut off the gas or electricity to the tank and let the water drop to room temperature before draining it. It will take several hours to complete this task. This is not required in order to drain your tank, however it is recommended as a safety measure. If you do not want to wait the appropriate amount of time for all of the water in your water heater to cool, just keep in mind that the water that comes out of the drain valve will be extremely hot when it does.

Steps to Draining Your Hot Water Tank

1. Turn off the gas or electrical power to your hot water tank if it is connected. The “pilot” setting on a gas water heater is what you’ll want to use. If the water heater is electric, turn off the breaker or unplug the fuse located at the electrical panel
2. Turn off the cold water supply valve located at the top of the water heater
3. And turn off the gas supply valve located at the water heater. When you touch this pipe, it should be ice cold. If the valve feels warm to the touch, you’ve got the incorrect valve. Locate the tank drain valve, which should be towards the bottom of the tank, and connect a regular garden hose to the drain valve. Keep in mind that certain models may have a cover over the valve opening
4. The other end of the hose should be placed in a floor drain or on a driveway where it may safely drain. Buckets can be used if required, but take care not to be burnt by the hot water while you’re doing your task. To prevent this from happening, make sure the hose’s end is lower than the water tank’s valve. Locate the hottest water tap that is closest to the water heater, preferably on the second or third story above. Opening the drain valve and allowing the water to flow from the tank can relieve pressure in the system, similar to withdrawing your finger from the top of a drinking straw loaded with liquid
5. Close the drain valve and let the water to drain from the tank. Once again, if you haven’t allowed the water to cool before using it, proceed with caution. Once all of the water has been emptied from the tank, switch on the cold water supply to the tank for a limited period of time. This will help to stir up any silt that has accumulated. It is necessary to repeat this procedure until the water flows clean
6. Disconnect the drain line and switch on the cold water supply valve after closing the drain valve. The tank will begin to fill as soon as possible. Return to the hot water faucet that was previously opened. Once cold water begins to flow from the faucet, cut off the water supply. Return the gas valve to the on position from the pilot position, or reconnect the power to the tank. It is important to double-check the valve opening once it has been closed to ensure there are no water leaks.

What if my tank won’t drain?

If your hot water tank is draining slowly or not at all, open the temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve on the hot water tank to see if it helps. In the hot water tank, it’s at the top where you’ll find it. A pipe goes from the top of the tank to the bottom of the tank, and it’s normally operated by a lever that may be raised or lowered as needed. Opening the TPR valve may allow water to drain from the tank if there is a possible vacuum inside the tank that has been preventing it from doing so.

The most prudent course of action is to contact a Licensed Plumber in this situation.

To sum things up.

If your hot water tank is draining slowly or not at all, open the temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve on the hot water tank to see if it would help. In the hot water tank, it’s at the top where you’ll see it. A pipe goes from the top of the tank to the bottom of the tank, and it’s normally operated by a lever that may be raised or lowered as required. In some cases, releasing the TPR valve may be necessary in order to release any trapped air within the tank that is obstructing water drainage.

The best course of action in this situation is to call a Licensed Plumber.

How to Maintain & Drain A Water Heater: 8 Step Guide

Date of publication: December 2019 You may take your water heater for granted until it stops working and you are forced to take a frigid shower in the middle of winter. Even worse, it might cease operating altogether, resulting in water splattered all over the floor. Fortunately, a hot water heater does not require much maintenance, although emptying it on a regular basis may assist to ensure that it continues to operate smoothly. Consider the following recommendations for maintaining your water heater.

According to The Family Handyman, silt builds up in the bottom of a water heater over time, which can cause obstructions in the system.

If you do not properly maintain your water heater, it may not operate at peak efficiency or may even fail to operate at all in some cases.

GET A HOME QUOTE.

A high level of protection for your house makes all the difference when it comes to keeping your family safe. Allstate home insurance can assist you in protecting what is important to you. Request a quote Locate a representative. When it comes to draining a water heater, the DIY Network recommends the following measures. The owner’s handbook for your water heater will provide you with particular information on your water heater. For those who are uncomfortable completing this sort of maintenance on their water heater, contact a plumber to arrange for a professional draining to be performed.

• A water line and a shutdown valve leading into the water heater may be found at the very top of the water heater’s tank.
• Step 2: Disconnect the water heater’s power supply line.
• Alternatively, if you have an electric water heater, turn off the electricity at your home’s electrical panel.
• If you have a gas water heater, according to the DIY Network, you may change the water heater’s thermostat to “pilot” to complete this procedure.
• Check your water heater’s owner’s handbook and follow the directions that are provided for your particular water heater.
• Because your water heater is running at a high temperature, it is incredibly hot.
• (According to BobVila.com, you should at the very least wait a few hours.) In addition, taking a hot shower can assist to accelerate the cooling process.) Step 4: Connect a hose to the drain valve.

Connect the other end of the hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of your water heater.

The hot water tap, such as a sink faucet, that is closest to the water heater should be opened.

According to the DIY Network, it is preferable to use a tap that is located on the floor above the water heater.

As soon as you turn on this valve, the water will begin to drain out of the storage tank.

Step 7: Reconnect the water supply to the tank and flush it with fresh, clean water to finish the job.

It is necessary to repeat this process until the water flows clean.

Step 8: Refill the tank with water.

Return the water supply to its original setting to begin replenishing the tank. Once the tank is full, turn on the electricity or gas supply to the water heater to re-energize it. While draining the tank, remember to turn off the faucet that you had previously turned on.

How Often Should You Drain Your Water Heater?

According to both BobVila.com and The Family Handyman, it’s a good idea to empty your water heater at least once a year in general. If you reside in a hard water area, on the other hand, according to Angie’s List, you may need to empty your water more often. Always remember to consult your owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer suggests before making any changes. Water heaters are relatively low-maintenance appliances, but it’s important to remember to drain yours on a regular basis. If you do this, you may be able to keep it working effectively and the hot water going.

Please keep in mind that a certain precaution may not be suitable or effective in every situation, and that adopting preventative steps does not ensure a positive outcome.

A complete Know-How for How to Drain Water Heater

It’s important to understand how to drain your water heater if you want to make your water heater last for a longer amount of time. It is also advised by the makers to clean out the water heater on a regular basis in order to ensure that the machinery continues to operate at peak performance for an extended length of time. As time passes, silt begins to accumulate, reducing the performance of the heating element and causing it to take an extended length of time to heat the water.

How to Drain Hot Water Heater in Basement

Presented here is a comprehensive instruction that demonstrates how to drain a water heater in simple stages. Take a look at these! 1.First and first, you must switch off the water heater. It is never a good idea to start working on an electric item while the power is still turned on. You must now wait until the water inside the water heater has cooled down completely before proceeding. It is recommended that you wait until the water has cooled before emptying it completely. Because of the size of your water heater, it may take several hours for the water to come down to a comfortable temperature.

• This is the point at which the water is introduced into the water heater and heated.
• Now, open the pressure relief valve to allow all of the pressure in the tank to be released at once.
• 3.After you have switched off all of the valves and released all of the pressure, get a long garden hose that will assist you in emptying the water heater into the outside drain that is found in virtually every home.
• The presence of a functional drain in a basement makes the job considerably easier to complete.
• 4.
• You may put a mesh screen in the garden to catch the silt that collects in the water heater.

Before proceeding with this step, be certain that the water has totally cooled down before beginning. Cool water drains more readily than warm water. 5.Check the operation of your water heater to ensure it is in proper working order. There are two possible outcomes in this situation.

• Assuming the location of your water heater is higher than ground level, you may take the hose outdoors and gravity will force the water to flow downhill. If your water heater is located below ground level, you will want a small pump that will be linked to a garden hose and then to another hose in order to completely drain the water from the heater.

6.The next step is to connect the garden hose of the appropriate length to the drain valve of the water heater, which is located at the bottom of the tank. With the use of a wrench, tighten the attachment to the point where it provides enough drainage. Allow the water to run out fully at this point. Wait until the water has been completely emptied. Draining some of the water in a bucket and allowing the particles to settle can allow you to determine how much sediment is in the water heater. It is also possible to check a mesh screen in order to determine the quantity of silt present.

8.

Disconnect the garden hose from the rest of the system.

The water heater will be refilled with cold water as a result of this procedure.

This will thoroughly clean your tank and ensure that no sediment is left in it once it has been cleaned.

To begin heating the water, turn on your power or gas supply and wait for it to warm up naturally over time.