How to Drain Reliance Hot Water Heaters
Reliance is a manufacturer of electric and gas water heaters. Draining a water heater should be part of an annual maintenance process. Flushing the water heater tank removes accumulated debris that collects at the bottom of the heater. The debris reduces the efficiency and capacity for making hot water. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Switch off the electrical power for electric water heaters. Turn the gas control valve to "pilot" for gas water heaters. The small pilot flame will remain lit.
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2
Close the cold-water valve that feeds water to the heater. Open a nearby hot water faucet.
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3
Connect a garden hose to the lower drain valve at the base of the water heater. Run the free end of the hose to a nearby floor drain or outdoors. Keep the elevation of the garden hose below the drain valve of the water heater so all of the water drains from the tank.
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4
Open the drain valve. One gallon of water takes one minute to drain. A 40-gallon water heater tank will take approximately 40 minutes to completely empty.
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5
Flush the tank by opening the cold-water valve for five minutes. The cold-water aids in removing any left over sediment residing at the bottom of the tank.
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6
Close the cold-water valve. Allow the tank to finish draining. Close the drain valve and remove the garden hose. Open the cold-water valve to fill the tank. Let cold-water flush through the open hot water faucet to remove any air in the water tank. Close the faucet once a steady stream of water is coming from the opening.
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7
Turn the electrical power back on for the electric water heater. Move the gas control valve to its original position for gas models.
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Tips & Warnings
Exercise caution when positioning the free end of the garden hose. Keep people and pets from the hot water. The water that drains from the hose may damage vegetation.
