How To Winterize A Water Heater? 5 Easy Steps!

Do you know how to winterize a water heater? An essential step you must take is to drain the water inside the heater and the water from the pipes that feed the heater. It is elementary to get this job done. You can accomplish it without asking a friend for help.

Nevertheless, you must winterize your water heater before winter comes, especially if you and your family will be off from home for a vacation. This will prevent your water heater from freezing, or worse, getting damaged. 

how to winterize a water heater

But what does winterizing mean, and why is it important? Winterizing makes sure that the plumbing in infrastructure, including your home, can withstand the freezing winter. Along with winterizing your home are winterizing other things, including your water heater. You want to use the water heater most especially during the winter season. My friends, there are more things that you should know, so without further ado, let’s start!

 

Steps To Winterize A Water Heater

There are actually several ways how to winterize a water heater. It can be done by installing solenoid valves for freezing protection. Also, you can use non-toxic antifreeze, especially if you have a tankless water heater. However, a very affordable yet proven effective way is through the removal and draining of the water heater unit. This section will tackle the very simple steps of winterizing a water heater without any installation of valves or application of any chemical. 

 

Step #1. Turn off the water heater

If you have an electric water heater, kindly plug out the power source from the outlet. However, if you have a gas water heater, simply cut off the gas from the gas source. There are gas water heaters that a user must use a wrench that is crescent-shaped to turn it off. To do that, rotate the valve in a counter-clockwise direction just halfway complete until it is perpendicular to the line. To confirm that you have indeed turned the water heater off, then the pilot light must be gone out. Lastly, find the control box usually located at the front and bottom of the heater, then switch the knob to an off point. 

 

Step #2. Turn off the water

You must locate the waterline coming from the house to do this, then turn off the water. The location of the valve with the turn-off function may be inside your basement to where the waterline is entering your house, or it may find it outside where the hose connection is located. It would be best if you found the shut-off valve that is usually wheel-shaped, then turn it in the clockwise direction until the water is turned off. 

 

Step #3. Drain the tank

First, you have to locate where the drain is. It can usually be found at the bottom part of the tank. It must include a connector where you can screw a garden hose. Some have floor drains that enable them to direct the garden hose to the area outside, wherein the water inside the tank can drain safely. With this, simply attach the garden hose to the drain. Then, turn on the drain by rotating the switch counterclockwise. Flip the upright to open the vent. Wait for a couple of minutes for the tank to completely drain. However, if you cannot do any of these, you will have to drain the tank using a bucket to dispose of the water outside.

 

Step #4. Drain the sink faucets

All you have to do is open all the sink faucets in your home. These include faucets of any kind located in your basement, comfort room, and those that are in the kitchen. Just make sure to identify all your sink faucets so that you may drain them all. The goal in this step in winterizing your water heater is for the sink faucets to drain a tiny amount of volume. Just let the taps open for at least 5 to 6 minutes, then you are good. 

 

Step #5. Wrapping up

This final step is actually not required, but if you want to use your water heater after such a freezing season, this step would be very significant. Using insulation and wrap duct tape, wrap all the pipes that lead inside and outside the top part of the heater about the insulation is still in place. Cover the water heater with a blanket. You must have bought a cover specifically designed for your water heater, or maybe you have made a covering yourself at home. Either of these covering will be enough to protect your tank, given that the one you made at home is from a sheet of insulating material. I guess it’s helpful to read about infrared heater safety guide.

 

It’s A Wrap!

At the end of this article, I hope you have learned how to winterize a water heater. May the contents above guide you to successfully keep your water heater from freezing during winter. With this, you can be secured that you will be able to use your water heater after a chilling season. Thank you for reading up to this point of the article. Your time and effort are very much appreciated. You may want to read related articles; know why won’t my heater turn on and how to clean a wall heater.

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