How to Drain Water for Boiler Maintenance
Your boiler is an integral part of the heating system in your home, heating the water used to provide heat to the radiators located throughout your home. In order to operate efficiently, the boiler must be regularly maintained. If left without maintenance, over time rust and sediment from your pipes will build up, inhibiting its performance. You should completely drain and refill your boiler at least once a year in order to remove this gathering debris. The process is a quick one, requiring little setup time, and only a few hours to completely drain a full household boiler. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Turn off the power to the boiler by shutting the power off at the service panel. Wait for three hours after turning off the power before draining the water to allow the boiler to cool sufficiently.
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Screw the garden hose to the boiler drain located near the bottom of the boiler. Place the other end of the hose in a utility sink, nearby floor drain or outside.
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Close the cold water inlet valve on the boiler to prevent the boiler from refilling during the draining process.
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Vent the tank by lifting the relief valve lever and then open the boiler drain valve. Open the drain valve slowly, allowing the water to drain from the boiler in a steady stream.
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5
Open the bleed valve located on the highest radiator in the house. Use a screwdriver to open the bleed valve.
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Wait for the flow of water to stop and then open the bleed valve on the radiator nearest the boiler. All water in the system should completely drain from the boiler.
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Close the boiler drain valve once the flow of water has stopped and then disconnect the garden hose. The boiler is now empty and ready for maintenance.
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Tips & Warnings
Open all windows located in the area to dissipate the bad odor that may be released while draining the boiler.
Due to the temperature of the water in the boiler, gloves should be worn at all times during the draining process to protect from scalding.
References
Resources
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