How to Clean Out a Gas Hot Water Heater
Cleaning out a gas hot water heater is basically a matter of flushing the tank to remove sediments that have built up on the bottom of your tank. If you use well water, these sediments may be mostly dirt and grit; if you are hooked up to city water, the sediments may be calcium and lime, but grit in the city water lines will also build up in a hot water tank over time. Cleaning your gas hot water tank is a "tankless" job, but one which should be performed at least every year or two, depending on how much sediment is in your water supply.
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Instructions
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1
Using your pliers, turn off the gas to your hot water heater. This involves turning the valve (lever) on the gas line perpendicular to the line. Turn the level 1/4 turn clockwise to shut off the gas. (Note: Do not shut off the gas if you do not know how to relight the pilot on your heater. Plan to have a gas-company employee or another knowledgeable person come to your home and show you how to relight your pilot.)
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2
Turn off the cold water inlet at the top of your tank. You can determine which line is the cold water line simply by touching both lines. Turn the handle on the cold-water line clockwise as far as it will go.
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3
Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and place the end of the hose in a suitable place to drain the water. Open the valve and allow the water to drain out of the tank. This could take several minutes. If you cannot drain the water using a garden hose, you will have to do it one bucket at a time.
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4
Open a hot water faucet in the house, such as in the kitchen or the bathroom. This will allow air into the system.
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Turn on the cold water to stir up the sediments in the tank after it has drained. Fill the tank about 1/4 full of cold water, then shut off the cold water inlet again. Observe the water draining out of your garden hose. If the water is draining very slowly it means the sediments are clogging your drain. In this case, add more cold water until you force the sediments out. When the water is draining fast and clear, your job is done.
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6
Shut off the drain at the bottom of the tank and remove the garden hose. Turn on the cold water valve at the top of the tank and allow your tank to fill with water. When the hot water faucet you opened in the kitchen or bathroom starts to run, you know your tank is full. Turn the faucet off.
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7
Open the valve on the gas line by turning the lever counterclockwise until the lever is aligned with the gas line. You may need a pair of pliers to turn the lever. Relight your tank's pilot light using a long fireplace lighter and allow the system to reheat the water in your tank. This could take a couple of hours.
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Tips & Warnings
If your tank has a lot of sediment, you may have to run the cold water into the tank and allow it to drain out two or three times.
Your local gas company may send someone to relight your water heater for free, or may charge a very small "house-call" fee.
