How to Drain Your Water Heater
How do you know the water in your water heater is safe to use? Few people know how to drain their water, despite it being something everyone should know.
Even a quality water heater is susceptible to contamination, and that can be dangerous to everyone in your household. Learn how to drain your Abingdon home water heater to make your home cleaner and safer.
Why Should You Drain Your Water Heater?
Over time, sediment builds up inside of your water heater's internals. Sediment is any substance that cannot be dissolved in water, including grit, sand, and iron, calcium, and magnesium deposits.
This sediment can decrease the energy efficiency of your water heater, clog water fixtures throughout the house, and compromise the cleanliness of the water that runs throughout your home.
Even if the water you drain from your tank looks clean, that doesn't necessarily mean you're still good to go. You need to fully drain your water heater, as sediment often sinks to the very bottom of tank. You should drain your water heater at least once a year to ensure it functions properly year-round.
How to Drain Your Water Heater
1. Electric or Gas
Depending on your type of water heater, you should approach the task differently initially.
For electric water heaters, start by shutting off the electricity for your water heater. To ensure that the electricity is deactivated, turn off a breaker or remove a fuse in your electric panel.
This is done to prevent the heating element from turning on during drainage, causing it to burn out and possibly resulting in the need to replace the entire heater.
For gas heaters (natural and propane), simply look at the current temperature and switch the pressure relief valve to the lowest setting or to "pilot".
Additionally, turn off your heater's cold water supply valve, which is usually located on top of the heater.
2. Run a Drain Line
Attach a garden hose to the base of your heater. The drain valve should have a hose attachment, and may be covered. Run the hose to the exterior of your Abingdon home, ideally near a drain if you have one.
3. Flush the Tank
Following the opening off all hot water faucets in your home, open your heater's drain valve. If you have a pump, you may use it at this stage.
Fully drain the tank, then turn the water source back on. If sediment disrupts water flow, remove the valve so it may exit the opening. Use a screwdriver to dislodge any sediment.
4. Final Steps
When the water flow appears to be free of sediment, shut off the supply again. Then close your water heater's drain valve, turn on the cold water supply, and reset the pressure-relief valve. Finally, turn off all hot water faucets and then turn on the power to your heater once more.
Give PlumbCrazy a call today at (410) 679-7575, to get your water heater flushed properly in your Abingdon, MD home.
