Where To Drain Hot Water Heater

If you have a gas hot water heater you may be able to do this procedure with the gas on but turned to the lowest setting.

Where to drain hot water heater. The drain cock at the bottom of the water heater tank is a silver or brass colored valve with a threaded end. This alleviates pressure in the system allowing the water to drain quickly from the tank much like removing your finger from the top of a drinking straw filled with liquid. This is where water comes out of the water heater and you need somewhere for the water to go as you drain the tank. Find the drain valve on the side of your water heater and attach a hose.

If the tank sits below grade say in the basement you ll likely need at least two. The water in your heater and many of the pipes connected to your water heater will be very hot. Run a garden hose from the water heater drain to the exterior of your home. Before you shut off the water connect a garden hose to the drain valve and try and flush the water heater tank a bit while the water pressure is on to do this open the drain valve for a few seconds and then close it again.

When the tank is full turn the water heater back on. To drain a water heater start by turning it off and let the water cool for a few hours. Turn the water to the tank back on while the drain spigot is still open to remove any remaining sediment. Same applies for the power on.

This can take up to two hours for some larger water heater tanks. The pressure will blow out any sediment stuck in the valve and help the tank drain faster. Open a hot water tap nearest to the water heater preferably on the floor above. Proceed with caution and protect yourself when inspecting your.

Once the water runs clear from the end of the hose you can close the valve to allow the tank to heat up. However you must not let the tank drain more than 3 4 empty. Once the water in the heater has cooled turn the cold water intake valve off and run some hot water from a faucet in your house to empty out excess water in the pipes. Let the tank cool after turning off the heating elements.

Attach a drain or garden hose to the drain valve on the side of the tank. Don t drain scalding hot water. Perform a quick flush. Drain and flush it at least once a year fall is a good time and you can extend the length of your water heater s useful life to avoid the cost of replacement.

Run your drain line. Steps for draining a water heater. When draining a hot water heater turn the gas off at the heater not the main for the whole house by turning the control knob on the water heater to off or you can turn the water heater to pilot while you re draining it that way you won t have to relight the pilot light when you re done.