At Water Heater Pro Tips, we believe you should feel comfortable in every corner of your home, enjoying your appliances for years. One important, yet often overlooked, task is draining a water heater. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process so you can maintain your water heater efficiently, extend its lifespan, and avoid unnecessary repair costs—all without needing a plumber!
Why Is It Important to Drain a Water Heater?
Your water heater plays a vital role in providing hot water for your home, especially during the colder months. However, many people neglect regular maintenance, which can lead to various problems over time. Here’s why draining your heater is essential:
- Prevents Sediment Build-Up
Tap water contains minerals, metals, and other debris, which accumulate in your water heater over time. This sediment forms at the bottom of the tank, causing bacteria growth and poor water quality. Therefore, draining your water heater regularly helps to avoid these issues. - Improves Heater Performance
Sediment inside the tank can block water flow, forcing the heater to work harder and consume more energy. As a result, your gas or electricity bills can increase significantly. To prevent this, regular draining ensures the water heater operates efficiently. - Extends Heater Life
By draining your heater, you prevent rust, scale, and corrosion from building up, which can damage the unit. Consequently, a well-maintained heater can last more than 10 years.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Drain a Water Heater
Draining a water heater is simple, and you can do it yourself in just a few steps. Let’s dive in:
1. Turn Off the Water Supply
First, locate the cold water pipe and shut-off valve, typically found at the top of the heater. Once you find them, turn the valve to completely stop the water flow into the tank.
2. Turn Off the Heater
- For Gas Heaters: Turn off the power at the breaker and close the gas valve.
- For Electric Heaters: Switch off the power from the fuse box to avoid electrical hazards. It’s important to always turn off the power before draining an electric heater.
3. Wait for the Water to Cool
Allow the water to cool for at least 8 hours before draining. This is crucial for your safety, as draining hot water can cause burns.
4. Attach a Hose to the Drain Valve
Find the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Next, connect one end of a hose to the valve and place the other end in a bucket or drain.
5. Open the Drain Valve
Turn the drain valve to release the water from the tank. Depending on the size of your heater, this process could take 30 minutes or more. To speed things up, open a hot water faucet elsewhere in your home. This will let air into the tank and help the water flow out more quickly.
6. Rinse the Tank
After draining, turn the cold water supply back on to flush out any remaining sediment. If the tank is not very dirty, a simple rinse will suffice. However, if the tank has not been cleaned in years, you may need to rinse several times to remove stubborn dirt.
7. Close the Drain Valve and Refill the Tank
Once you’ve finished rinsing the tank, securely close the drain valve. Then, turn the water supply back on and let the tank refill. When it’s full, turn on the heater and open the gas valve (or restore power to electric heaters). Now, your water heater is clean and ready to go.
How to Drain a Tankless Water Heater
Draining a tankless water heater (also known as a flow-through heater) is a little different. Since tankless models don’t store water, they don’t accumulate sediment the same way. Here’s how to drain a tankless heater:
- Turn Off the Heater and close the gas valve.
- Disconnect the Inlet and Outlet Pipes.
- Connect the Cold Water Pipe to the Hot Water Outlet. Let the water run for about 10 minutes.
- Place a Bucket Under the Heater to collect the water.
- Reconnect the Pipes and turn the heater back on.
Tankless heaters don’t collect as much sediment, so draining is not needed as often. Nevertheless, periodic maintenance can help prevent mineral build-up.
How Often Should You Drain Your Water Heater?
One of the most common questions is, how often should I drain my water heater? The answer depends on your water quality and usage:
- Once a Year: Generally, draining your heater once a year is sufficient for most households.
- Every 6 Months: If you live in an area with hard water, you may need to drain your heater more often—every 6 months. Hard water contains more minerals and sediment, which can accumulate quickly.
Regular draining ensures your water heater runs efficiently, saving you money on energy and repairs.
How to Clean a Very Dirty Water Heater
If you notice that the water coming out of your heater is very dirty, you can try the following:
- Flush with Water: Open and close the cold water valve several times to create pressure that will help remove the sediment from the bottom of the tank.
- Call a Professional: If the water still looks dirty or the heater isn’t performing well, it’s time to call a plumber. A professional can thoroughly clean your tank and check for any other issues.
When to Call a Plumber?
In some cases, you may need a professional. Consider calling a plumber if:
- Your heater isn’t heating properly or takes too long to heat water.
- You experience low hot water pressure.
- The water drains slowly, and there’s a lot of mineral build-up.
A plumber can inspect your heater, remove sediment, and ensure it’s working as it should.
Benefits of Regular Heater Maintenance
Regularly draining and cleaning your water heater offers several benefits:
- Longer Lifespan: By maintaining your heater, you can increase its lifespan—often up to 10 years or more.
- Lower Repair Costs: Preventing problems before they arise can save you money on repairs.
- Cleaner Water: A clean heater delivers safer, cleaner water for your home.
- Lower Energy Bills: An efficient water heater doesn’t need to work as hard, which means you’ll spend less on gas or electricity.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to drain a water heater, you can easily maintain your heater yourself. Remember, draining it at least once a year helps keep your appliance running at its best, ensuring you always have access to hot water. If you ever feel unsure about the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional.
By keeping your water heater clean and well-maintained, you’ll enjoy better performance, save money, and extend the life of your appliance. So, take action today and keep your water heater in top shape for years to come!
