Are you wondering how long does it take to drain a water heater? It usually takes fifteen to thirty minutes to drain the device. But in most 40 to 60-gallon tanks for residential use to most homes, it takes 15 minutes and more.
The larger tanks of eighty gallons in most homes of more prominent families take longer to drain the water heater. It can take up to about thirty to 60 minutes and more.
Remember that removing water inside the tank is the fastest job possible. Nonetheless, it also requires filling the tank again, usually taking an hour or even two. Do not forget about the preparation needed, like garden hose attachment in a drain valve, and make sure a large bucket is provided for pouring the sediment. Let’s discuss more on this below. Keep reading!
How Long Does It Take To Drain Your Water Heater?
How long does it take to drain a water heater, and what do you think is required? It will depend because if your house uses hard water, it will need to drain and flush the water heater every three months. Nonetheless, it would help if you did it every six months. Flush the soft water and drain the water heater tank once or twice a year, as this is also in the case that yours is a gentle water form of filtration system. There’s no need to do it more often because soft water has no minerals in hardening and building it up.
Below are tips when draining a tank in a water heater:
- Turn the control knob off and close its shutoff valve in a gas. Shut the electric water heater power off in the primary service panel.
- Close the supply valve while opening the faucet to your house, thus, speeding up the draining process.
- Attach the drain valve with a hose and allow it to run next to a drain, or bucket underneath a drain valve.
- Turn a drain valve in a clockwise manner when opening it.
- Oversee the bucket; afterward, turn off the drain valve before it overflows in the bucket. So far, the procedure will take up an hour.
- Refill the water heater tank after you close a drain valve tight. Open the cold water supply valve while opening the hot faucet furthest from the tank.
- Water that flows in the faucet would mean a full tank, so the tap should be closed.
- Set the tank in a water heater as complete before turning on the electricity or gas. Next is to light the pilot again and turn its power on again.
- Draw two or three gallons off after months, while checking for sediment.
Significance Of Draining A Water Heater
Using a water heater over the long term only causes further sediment to build up underneath the tank. A clog is inside the water heater if it makes strange noises in operation. So, regularly drain the water and flush out mineral deposits that accumulate. Do this, or the unit will not work better when heating the water. It might result in costing you more money and using lots of energy. Plus, it might end up working altogether.
But based on the air conditioning and heating contractors, the interval suggested when draining the water heater is between 6 to 12 months. Before you begin doing this, prepare for some potential leak, or it may close a drain valve completely after it sits up for a long time.
The valve is less likely to close entirely if the unit gets older. Replace it with another one and upgrade it simply if you think it is inefficient and old.
Drain the water heater but be extra cautious of it. It will be easy, provided you follow the manufacturer’s manual instructions. Call the local plumber if you are not with this one and need further assistance. More importantly, drain the water by making slow movements when opening and closing the valves. The release in the pressure might only hurt if you’re not careful about it. Be extra cautious if the water gets too hot. And before finally proceeding with draining, allow the water to sit inside the tank overnight. This way, it will eventually cool down.
Drain water from the water heater because it moves most sediment, settling down underneath the tank and outside. There’s no need to drain the water, but just several gallons in a year will do. It will help avoid the sediment from staying there, reducing the water heater’s life expectancy since the former needs to work even more challenging. It might only cost you a lot of money in the energy costs. You may also be interested to know how to unclog a drain valve.
It’s A Wrap!
Now you learn how long does it take to drain a water heater. It takes fifteen to thirty minutes. Somehow, it varies by the size of a tank in most small or large families. Nonetheless, keep a few pointers in mind when draining the water heater and the significance of doing it further! You may also want to read about how to get sediment out of water heater and how to vent a water heater.