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The Correct Way of Draining the Water Heater

If you look at the usual water maintenance manuals, you’ll see that they tend to suggest that you are to drain the water heater every six months or perhaps a year. The main reason for draining a water heater is to help you remove and get rid of sediments and other debris that collects and thrives at the bottom of the water heater over time. If this buildup is tolerated and ignored, there’s a chance that the water heater will be working harder than usual in order to heat the water. Hence, the machine will be forced to use more energy, which in turn leads to costing you more in your utility bills.

Now you should know that draining the water heater is quite simple. However, you still would be prone to mistakes if you don’t know what you’re doing. Therefore, it’s better if you know what you expect.

1 – Expect a Leak

First of all, you should know that there is a good chance that the drain valve will not shut back off all the way when it is turned on. Keep in mind that the drain valve has been sitting idle for six months up to a year. It means as it gets older, it will get less likely to shut off completely. So you should be prepared to place a cap over it or maybe replace the drain valve. If you have a water heater with a cheap plastic valve, it is recommended to replace it.

2 – Flushing

Next, before you actually shut off the water hook a hose up the drain valve, try and flush it while the water pressure is on. In order to do this, you’ve got to turn on the valve for a few seconds and then turn it off again. What happens then is that it will blow any sediment that has remained struck in the valve, therefore making it faster to drain. If there is still sediment coming out, you can repeat the same process.

3 – Turn the Water Heater Off

After flushing, you can now shut off the gas to your water heater. Shut off the water above the water heater or to the house. But be sure that the pressure is off and you can do that by turning on and checking the hot water fixtures.

4 – Drain Valve Opening

You need to open the drain valve while your drain hose is hooked up. Keep in mind that it won’t drain that much until you will release the vacuum in the tank. Now remove one end of the hot flex situated above the water heater. Pull the same to the side in order for the tank to get some air while the water will naturally gush.

5 – Flush Using Water

The moment it is fully drained, you can now flush the same with few gallons in intervals. Turn the water for a few seconds and then let it drain out right before you do it again.

6 – Refilling

Finally, you can now disconnect the hose and shut off the drain valve. Be sure you are able to reconnect the flex line above the water heater while also tightening it. At this point, you can turn the water back on to the water heater.