Draining your water heater is a simple maintenance task that takes about an hour and requires only a garden hose and a few basic tools. Over time, sediment can accumulate at the bottom of the tank. If left unchecked, this buildup can reduce your water heater’s efficiency, leading to higher energy usage and increased utility bills.
By removing the sediment through regular draining, you can help your water heater operate more efficiently, cut down on energy costs, and extend the life of the unit.
Important Reminder :
Before proceeding, make sure that your water heater is either gas or electric. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damaging the unit during the process.
Before Starting :
Before you start, locate your home’s main water shutoff valve. This will be important if you need to shut off the water flow quickly if something goes wrong. Turn off your water heater a few hours before, so that it can cool. For your safety, you should wear sturdy rubber gloves and safety glasses while working.
Materials Needed :
Equipment / Tools Materials
Adjustable wrench Drain valve (if necessary)
Garden hose Threaded hose cap (if required)
Flat-head screwdriver
Bucket
How to flush a water heater?
Step 1: Turn Off Water Supply
Locate the water pipe and shutoff valve at the top of your water heater. Turn the valve to stop the water flow into the tank.
Step 2: Turn Off the Power
For safety, always cut off the power before draining your water heater.
- Electric Water Heater: Switch off the power from your home’s electrical panel. The circuit breaker or fuse connected to the water heater should be labeled.
- Gas Water Heater: Switch the thermostat to “pilot” or simply shut off the gas valve altogether. Consult your owner’s manual for help.
Step 3: Let the Water Cool
The water in the heater is scalding hot. To prevent burns, let the tank cool for several hours or overnight. Cool down faster by taking a hot shower beforehand.
Step 4: Connect a Hose to the Drain Valve
Once the water has cooled off, attach a garden hose at the bottom of the tank. Then, place the end in a bucket, or lead it to the outside for safe water disposal.
Step 5: Turn on the Faucet for Hot Water
Turn on the nearest hot tap, such as a sink faucet, to ease the pressure and allow water to drain easily. Use a faucet which is at a higher level for the best effect.
Step 6: Release Water from the Tank by Using the Drain Valve
Turn on the drain valve to empty the tank. This should take time, depending on the size of the tank or how much sediment was in the tank.
Step 7: Flush the Tank
Leave the drain valve open and turn on the cold water supply to flush out any sediment at the bottom of the tank. Repeat until the water runs clear, then shut off the water supply again.
Step 8: Refill the Tank
Disconnect the hose and shut off the drain valve. Reconnect the water supply to refill the tank. Once full, reconnect power or gas to the water heater. Do not forget to turn off the hot water faucet you opened earlier.
By following these steps, you will ensure that your water heater stays clean and operates efficiently!
Why Should You Drain Your Water Heater?
A significant part of any water heater’s maintenance service is to drain the hot water tank. This water heater gets sediment consisting of minerals and debris at the bottom of the tank. There is the possibility that there may be clogs leading to efficiency loss.
As per HGTV, flushing out this buildup helps prevent malfunctions and ensures your water heater operates smoothly. Neglecting this simple maintenance task can lead to reduced efficiency, higher energy bills, or, worse, a complete system failure. Keep your water heater in top condition by making regular draining a part of your maintenance routine.
How Often Should You Flush A Water Heater?
It is advisable to flush a water heater once a year to maintain its efficiency. If you live in an area with hard water or if you have an older water heater, you should consider draining it twice a year to prevent mineral buildup and to keep it working efficiently.
What Happens If You Don’t Drain Your Water Heater?
Over time, failure to drain your water heater can lead to significant problems. Sediments and minerals form a deposit at the bottom of the tank, forming a scale. This is that hard, chalk-like residue you might see coming off faucets or shower heads. When scaling deposits within your water heater grow in size, it becomes responsible for the following difficulties:
Reduced Efficiency: The sediment layer acts like a filter and prevents the water heater from warming the water up effectively. It makes the unit work harder and spend more energy.
Corrosion: In the long term, it can cause corrosion in the inner walls of the tank. It can damage the tank and lead to leaks.
Safety Risks: It can block the pressure relief valve, an important part of the unit, that is supposed to prevent the tank from building pressure.
Bottom Line:
Draining and flushing the water heater regularly is one of its most important maintenance needs in efficiency, safety, and in terms of lifespan. What seems like a minor adjustment can prevent major headaches from coming.
Is the process the same for gas, electric, and tankless water heaters?
Generally, the steps of draining gas and electric water heaters are more or less the same among all types, but the steps vary according to what type of heater is found in your house.
Drain Electric Water Heaters
The general procedure to follow when draining electric water heaters is the same for everyone and is an 8-step procedure, which involves cutting the power at the circuit breaker. Make sure the power is off before starting the process to be on the safe side.
Drain Gas Water Heaters
With a gas water heater, this is also the case in which this 8-step procedure holds; however, you would shut off the gas before draining the tank to avoid leaks or some potential safety hazard.
Tankless water heaters work differently. Their mechanisms do not include draining huge tanks; however, like any other type, these need to be annually flushed to continue operating properly. This process involves shutting off both the water and power supplies, using pump pliers to connect the hot and cold water lines to create a cross-over flow, and flushing the system until the water runs clear and cold. Additional tools may be needed for this task, so consult your unit’s manual for guidance.
While the general steps to shut off utilities, relieve pressure, and drain or flush the system are similar, preparation and specific actions can vary between types of water heaters. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular model to ensure a safe and effective process.
Keep Your Water Heater Running Smoothly with PlumbSmart
Regular draining of your water heater is one of the keys to achieving efficiency, saving energy, and prolonging its lifespan. At PlumbSmart, we specialize in water heater maintenance, which means your unit will operate both safely and reliably.
Whatever type of water heater you might have, whether it is gas, electric, or tankless, our expertly trained team has the necessary knowledge and tools to deal with all of them. Do not wait for problems to develop—contact PlumbSmart today to schedule your water heater service and keep your home running smoothly!
