Water heaters play a vital role in our home. We use hot water for a shower, run a load of laundry, or wash your dishes, and a lot more. It is one of the most used electronic items since it involves the use of water; it is necessities in our home. Since it is one of the most used, we need to make sure that it is well taken care of. If you want to extend the life of your water heater, we need to make sure that we drain the tank to flush out sediments that have settled to the bottom of the tank.
Here is how to drain a water heater with or without a drain valve:
Turn off the Gas or Electricity While Cleaning
Always follow the manual. If it’s gas, turn the gas control to the “Pilot” setting. If it’s electric, switch off the circuit breaker and disconnect the electrical power supply.
Shut off the Water Supply
Switch off the cold water supply valve to the water heater. It might involve manually turning off your main water switch, depending on your water system.
Turn on the Hot Water
Turn on the hot water from any faucet to prevent a vacuum from working and flow air into the water heater, letting it drain easier.
Attach the Hose
Put a hose to the drain valve and run the hose. If you notice any leaks, use pliers to tighten the hose. If the water heater is located in the basement, it might need a manual pump attached to the hose – and another hose flowing from the pump to the drain.
Drain the Water Heater Tank
Turn on the draining plug and let the water flow until it stops. If you prefer to use a gallon, be prepared to empty it frequently. Be cautious when you are draining the water. Make sure to sufficiently cool down the water to prevent any accidents.
Flush the Tank
Flush any remaining debris from the tank by reopening the cold water supply. Turning it on and off several times can help stir up lingering residue. Be mindful because water will flow out at a rapid rate when you reopen the water supply.
Turn off the Water Heater Tank Drain Valve
Once the water runs clear, and you no longer see sediment coming from a hose, disconnect the hose and close the tank drain valve.
Fill the Water Heater Tank
Open the cold water supply. Switch on hot water faucets on all fixtures to remove air bubbles. Turn off each hot water spigot once the water resumes normal flow.
Power up the Water Heater
Follow the instructions to relight your heater. These are often found both in the manual and on the heater itself. Be sure to fill the heater with water before turning back on the electrical and gas connections, or risk damaging the heating element.