How often should you drain your water heater? In general, it requires yearly cleaning so that the heater will work in a year when there is soft water. The best thing is that carrying out the cleaning job in a year enables you to get hot water in the entire home. Thus, your dishes are clean without you waiting to heat the water before taking a shower. But, what if you don’t drain the water heater?
My friends, If you avoid draining or flushing out the water heater, the water insulates because of the sediment underneath the device. It also avoids the equipment to heat the water.
As time goes by, a lot of deposits get in the heater. The water heater needs more energy and time to offer enough hot water. If you also avoid draining it for years, it damages the heater. The machine may stop functioning altogether. Don’t wait until things get problematic with the water heater before you do this task. Without further ado, read the article to know more about how you should drain your water heater.
Steps For You To Drain Your Water Heater
Here are the straightforward steps to drain the water heater.
Step #1. Shutting off the water supply
Check the shutoff valve and the water pipe if the topmost part of the device goes directly into the machine. Turn the valve as you close the flow of water inside the tank.
Step #2. Turning off the power
Shut off the heater’s power before further processing or burn the heating elements outside the machine. Shut off the energy in the electric heater in the electrical panel. Turn the thermostat off of the gas water heater. Or, you must shut its gas supply off by the heater. Then, check the manual instructions of the machine and follow them carefully.
Step #3. Allowing the water to turn cool
The water can get hot if the water heater is working. It may also cause injury to you. Thus, enable the heater to achieve the temperature in a room as you keep it off overnight. Thus, the water cools down as you flush it. Nonetheless, it can be frustrating to wait overnight. Wait for several hours until you are free from injuries. Take some hot showers that will speed up the procedure.
Step #4. Connecting the hose in a drain valve
Search for the garden hose of the heater base and attach it next to the drain valve. Keep the hose at its end to drain completely. Drain water outside but ensure it is away from other plantings or gardens. Water temperature or contaminants can badly damage the plants.
Step #5. Opening the drain valve
Open the drain valve right through a valve opener. Search it on the one side of a valve or right next to the underneath of the water tank. Drain out the water completely inside the water heater.
Step #6. Turning the cold water
Turn on the old water supply after you get the water heater empty. It helps rinse out the rest of the sediment under the tank. Allow the water to flow for several minutes. Focus your eye on the hose to see if it flows clear. Turn off its supply after getting clear and clean water in the hose. Fill the heater with water in a glass that comes from a hose. Shut off its supply and let a few minutes pass by to see if the sediments begin to resolve underneath. Flush more water if you’ve got impure water with the residues.
Step #7. Disconnecting the hose
Get the hose disconnected in the valve. Bring a wet and dry vacuum, which sucks out the sediments right through the opening. The deposit mixes up with water as you shut it off. It also helps avoid you closing its valve completely. Clean it to prevent leaks. After you clean off a drain valve, open the cold water supply again.
Step #8. Opening the faucets
The next step to follow in how often should you drain your water heater requires you to let the water flow out after opening the faucet for hot water. Thus, you will avoid air as it traps in the pipes and faucets. Don’t stress yourself if rust or sediment is coming from the water. Sooner, the water will come clear and clean in a few minutes. Afterward, turn the faucet off.
Step #9. Restarting the water heater
Turn on the power or thermostat of the water heater. It depends on the heater and tank to get hot water in fifteen or twenty minutes. The heater also operates more efficiently than it was before. It may be helpful to read about how to vent a water heater.
It’s A Wrap!
Now you’ve got the answer to the question, “how often should you drain your water heater?” Keep in mind that you should do it once a year. Or better yet, do it twice a year. It does help improve the water heater’s efficiency, including the water quality. Plus, it eliminates the issues with hard water in a home. Moreover, follow the steps in how to drain properly a water heater: shut off the water supply first, turn off the power, allow the water to turn cool, connect the hose in a drain valve, open the drain valve, turn the cold water, disconnect the hose, and restart the water heater. Click on these links to read related articles; know how to test water heater thermostat and why does my hot water heater keeps tripping.