How to Drain a Water Heater – DIY 8 Easy Steps Guide

Water heaters come with a sizeable insulated tank to ensure constant water availability. However, although these appliances are supposed to heat the water and keep it hot for long, their energy efficiency declines with time, especially when not cleaned often. And this is mainly due to the build-up of sediment in the tank.

Most manufacturers encourage users to maintain their water heater tanks by draining them regularly for optimal performance. However, most people don’t know how to drain a water heater.

Why Do You Need to Drain Your Water Heater ?

Knowing how to drain a water heater is critical if you want your machine to serve you for long. Regularly draining your water heater can enhance its performance and increase its lifespan since it prevents sediment accumulation. By draining the hot water heater each year, you will be able to save money by having a much more energy-efficient water heater.

If you want to do it yourself, this step-by-step guide on how to drain a water heater is perfect for you.

Precaution:

If you’ve never flushed your water heater on your own before, it’s crucial to be cognizant of what might happen in the process. If you are not comfortable with water heater maintenance, you should contact a professional.

If the Water Heater Drain Valve is too old, it may not be possible to reuse it, forcing you to look for a quick fix. In this case, you could put a cap over it. Alternatively, you could replace it. You could also upgrade it, especially if it’s a plastic one.

How to Drain a Water Heater Yourself

1. Stop the Water Heater

When you are ready to drain your water heater, the first thing to do is cut the power to avoid any injury. Turn the heater off regardless of whether it’s a gas or electric water heater.

For a gas water heater, simply shut off the gas.

If it’s an electric heater, turn off the power (circuit breaker).

The water will only cool down when the power is off. Draining the water heater while the machine runs may get the water to dangerous heat levels, damaging the heating elements.

2. Stop Water Supply

Turn off the water supply by turning off the cold water supply valve. You could incur huge bills if you let the water to continue running at this stage.  

3. Let the Water Cool Down

It’s a good idea to give the water in the tank enough time to cool. This can take around one to two hours. 

4. Fasten the Pipe to the Drain Valve

Identify where you want to drain your water and connect the drain valve to a standard garden hose. Thread the hose tightly to avoid leaks. You can drain the water into a container, driveway or the sewer line. Easiest way is to drain it directly in the floor drain.

5. Open the Faucet

A vacuum may form within the pipes during the flushing process. You can stop this by turning on the hot water tap. Don’t get worried when you notice the water coming out is little. That’s because there’s no supply.

Opening the hot water faucet allows to drain the water heater faster.

6. Turn On the Drain Valve

Empty the tank by opening the drain valve. You can use a screwdriver to operate the valve. Avoid any leaks or overflows as they may flood the room. Let the tank drain the dirt.

7. Flush the Tank

If the water draining out isn’t clean, let in more cold water to stir up the remaining dirt. Keep the water flowing in and draining the tank until there’s no more sediment left. When the water coming from the water heater drain valve is finally clear, this means the tank is empty from sediments.

8. Refill the Water Heater

Make sure the close the drain valve. Remove the hose from the drain valve and then turn on the heater. Refill the water heater with clean water. Check if there are any water leaks and correct the situation if you find any.  

Test your hot water tank. Your water should heat again in several minutes. Always go through your manufacturer’s directions before draining a water heater on your own.

How To Prevent Sediment Build-Up in Your Water Heater

Installing a Corro-Protec anode will reduce sediment buildup inside the tank and will completely stops corrosion. This will increase the life of your tank and reduce the maintenance. This is the best and cheapest home improvement DIY you can do on your water heater to save money.

When Do You Need To Drain Your Water Heater

Proper maintenance will expand the water heater life expectancy. The heat produced by these machines is responsible for the accumulation of dirt in the tank’s base (sediment buildup). The performance of your heating machine may deteriorate if you fail to clean it to remove the sediments.

Plus, a poorly serviced water heater will consume more power than a clean one. Now that you know how to drain a water heater, you should do it every year.

Here are indicators it’s time to flush your water heater.

• 1. Hot Water Not Lasting Long                         
• 2. Need to Change Water Temperature   
• 3. Water Heats Up Slowly
• 4. Rumbling Noise
• 5. Bad Odor

Another kind of smell that we see very often in water heater is sulfur smell. If you are experiencing that smell, draining the water heater won’t make any difference. The best thing you could do is install a powered anode. If you want to learn more about how to solve that sulfur smell, click here.

This blog post ”How to drain a water heater” is made available by Corro-Protec, for educational purposes only to give the reader general information and a general understanding on the specific subject above. The blog should not be used as a substitute for a licensed plumbing professional in your state or region. Check with city and state laws before performing any household project.