How Can a Homeowner Drain a Hot Water Heater?
Draining a water heater is a task that homeowners can easily do for themselves. It is a good idea to drain and flush water heaters annually to prevent build up of mineral deposits which decrease both tank volume and heating efficiency. Water heaters also need to be drained for other types of maintenance and for replacement. Does this Spark an idea?
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Turn Off Heat
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Most water heaters are gas fired, but some are heated by electrical coils. The thermostat (heat control) will normally be located on a box near the bottom of the heater. First, turn the knob to the "Off" position, then find the gas line or electrical cord running out of the appliance.
Disconnect Gas
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For a gas heater, the gas hose will run to a valve that connects into the gas supply line. If the valve handle is in line with the valve body, the valve is on. If the valve handle crosses the body of the valve at a 90-degree angle, the valve is off. Make sure the valve is off.
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Disconnect Electrical Power
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For an electric water heater, the cord will either be plugged into a wall socket that you can see and unplug, or it will run into the wall. If it runs into the wall, find the home's circuit breaker panel and turn off the breaker labeled "Water Heater."
Shut Off Water
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Two water pipes run out of the top of the water heater and into the wall or ceiling. One is the cold (in) water source, and the other is the hot outflow. On the cold pipe, not far from the top of the heater there is a valve, turn it off. If there is a valve on the outflow pipe, turn it off as well.
Drain
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Find the relief valve, which is usually located on the side of the heater near the top. It has a pipe running down the side that either stops just above floor level or runs into a drain. The relief valve is shaped a bit like a small barrel with the pipe running out of one side and a lever on top. Open the relief valve by pulling the lever away from the valve.
Then, locate the drain valve near the bottom of the water heater. This valve usually looks like an outdoor faucet. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and run the hose into a drain, or out into the yard. Turn the drain valve on and make sure water is flowing out of the heater. Once all the water has drained, perform necessary maintenance.
Flush and Fill
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Turn on the cold inflow valve (and the hot if there was one), and allow the water to run for a minute or until water from the drain is clear and free of debris. Next, close the drain valve, then the relief valve and allow the water heater to refill. While it fills, turn on the gas valve (or plug in the electric cord). Turn the thermostat to the desired temperature---for gas, be sure to follow instructions on thermostat box to light the pilot, and be certain that fire is lit under the boiler.
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