How to Drain & Clean a Hot Water Heater
There is no way to stop sediments from building up in your hot water tank over time. In some areas of the country this is more of a problem than in others. It all depends on your incoming water supply. Regardless of what type of water supply you have, it is a good idea to clean your hot water tank yearly. Many people like to clean their tank in the fall, in preparation for the winter, but there is no one time of year that is better for cleaning your tank than any other. Fortunately cleaning your tank is relatively easy and you should be able to finish the job in about an hour. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Unplug your water heater. If you have a gas heater turn off the valve on the gas line. This is easily done with a pair of pliers--simply turn the lever 1/4 turn clockwise until it is perpendicular to the gas line.
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2
Turn off the incoming cold water line at the top of your water heater. You can tell which line is the cold water line by touch (be careful not to get burned if you touch the hot water line). Turn the knob clockwise until it stops.
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3
Attach the garden hose to the drain at the bottom of your tank. Your garden hose should screw into the drain easily. Place the other end of your garden hose at a drain or someplace where you can drain the water from your tank. If you cannot drain the water directly, place the hose in a bucket and drain your tank one bucketful at a time.
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4
Open the drain at the bottom of your water heater and allow the water to drain out. Depending on the size of your tank and the amount of sediment blocking the drain this could take ten to 15 minutes.
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5
Close the drain valve on your water heater and open the cold water inlet on top of your tank. Allow water to gush into your tank for 60 seconds and then close the cold water valve again.
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6
Open the valve at the bottom of your tank and allow the new water to drain. Look at the color of the water and note how much sediment is still being flushed. If a considerable amount of sediment is still be flushed out of your tank then repeat Step 5.
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7
Close the drain at the bottom of your tank and remove the garden hose. Open the cold water inlet at the top of the tank and allow the tank to fill. Once the tank is at least half full you can plug it back in. If you have a gas heater turn the gas back on and follow the tank's instructions for relighting the pilot. If you do not know how to relight the pilot make certain that someone who does will help you.
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Tips & Warnings
Your local gas company may be willing to send someone to your home at little or no cost to relight your hot water heater. Call your local gas company and ask about their policy in this regard.
