Draining Hot Water Heaters

Nearly every household has a hot water heater as one of the essential home appliances. It provides warm water for domestic purposes, like bathing, cleaning and cooking.

The configuration and machinery of hot water heater may vary, but the basic working principle remains the same. A heat source (charcoal, gasoline, propane gas, solar panel, etc.) is used to warm up cold water to a desired temperature range, which is then delivered via faucets.

Several energy saving hot water heater models have been developed in the last few decades, which you can choose according to your budget range and requirements.

Whichever brand you have opted for, certain care and maintenance tips are required, so as to retain maximum functionality and at the same time, increase the longevity of the device. One such necessary step is draining the hot water heater. It helps in getting rid of unwanted sediments settled at the bottom of the water tank.

With time and usage, sand, grit and other insoluble impurities present in the incoming cold water are deposited at the base of the water holding tank. Also, it is not unusual to have sediment buildups in the machine parts. Low amount of sediment accumulation is not a concern.

Nevertheless, large-scale deposition hampers the working efficiency of hot water heater. Or at times, the device stops functioning at all. So, to avoid such cases, you need to drain your water heater unit at regular intervals.

First of all, turning off the energy source is crucial to avoid any risks. After all, safety is the main priority, after which comes draining water heater and flushing off the sediments.

For gas water heater models, adjust the thermostat reading to pilot setting. While for electric hot water heaters, switch off the power supply from, the main panel.

The second step is shutting off the cold water supply. Look for the inlet pipe that feeds the water tank and do the needful. A better alternative is to stop the main water supply. Once you are done with these preparatory steps, you are now ready to drain hot water heater safely and without creating a mess.

For this, locate the drain valve at the base of the water tank and attach a garden hose to it. Making sure that it is tight enough, connect the hose to a draining pipe. Bring the end pipe to outside driveway or other places around the house that will not be affected by warm water.

Then, open a hot water faucet to avoid formation of vacuum in the hot water pipes. Open the drain valve and allow to drain off water.

Wait till there is no water left in the tank. Following this, return to the main water supply and switch it on. If you stopped the inlet pipe of the tank, then turn it on. Allow cold water to enter tank. This will aid in flushing off the remaining sediments left in the water holding tank. As clear water starts coming in the pipe, close the drain valve.

After you are done with draining the heater, fill the tank with cold water. Then switch off the hot water faucet that you had kept on during the process. Finally, turn on the power supply or adjust the thermostat setting to normal. Many homeowners have a query regarding 'how often to drain hot water heater'. Once a year flushing is sufficient to get rid of sediments.