DIY: How to Drain a Water Heater

Draining your home's water heater is a necessary part of the maintenance for your tank. Over time sediment builds up in the bottom of the tank and may impede your water heater from running as efficiently as possible. While messy and time consuming, there are just a few steps that you need to know to drain your heater tank.

1. Turn Off The Power

Whenever you are working with an appliance, it is a good idea to turn off the power to the unit before you begin maintenance. With water heaters it is important to turn off the power for obvious safety reasons. However, if your heater turns on while the water level is low the heating element may quickly burn out as well.

To turn off the power to an electric water heater, turning the thermostat down is not enough - you must turn the power off at the breaker box. If you have a gas unit, turn the thermostat down to the Pilot setting so that the burners will not ignite while you are working on the heater.

2. Connect The Hose

You can use any ordinary garden hose when draining your water heater. Always make sure that your hose is in good condition before connecting it to your water heater. Once you have made sure that your hose is not frayed, torn or kinked, connect one end of the hose to the bottom of the water heater. A faucet for this purpose is located on the bottom of the tank, near the thermostat. Run the other end of the hose out and away from your house. Keep in mind that the water that drains may be scalding hot, so ensure that the hose will drain in an area away from children and pets. If your hose is long enough to reach a concrete patio or driveway, draining there will help to prevent garden plants from being killed by the hot water. Do not open your water heater valve yet.

3. Turn Off The Cold Water

Find the cold water inlet to your water heater, and turn the valve until it is closed. At the top of the tank you will find a pressure relief valve - leave this alone unless otherwise instructed by your water heater manufacturer. To prevent a vacuum from forming in the lines, go into your kitchen or bathroom and turn one of the hot-water faucets all the way on and let it run for the duration of the time you are draining your water heater.

4. Open the Drain Valve

Go back to your water heater and open the drain valve connected to your garden hose. As a safety precaution, many faucets have a flat-head screw head instead of a handle to prevent accidental burns. Using a flat-head screwdriver or the faucet handle, turn the valve to the open position. Let it drain until water stops flowing from the opposite end of the hose.

5. Flush Out Remaining Sediment

After the water has stopped draining, turn the cold water inlet to your water heater back into the open position. This will force water to run through the tank and push out any sediment still stuck in your heater. Let run until the water at the far end of your hose runs clear.

6. Close the Drain Valve

When done flushing out the heater tank, turn the drain valve to the closed position using the faucet handle or flat-head screwdriver. Allow the cold water intake to continue to run, as it will now re-fill your tank. At this point, it is also OK to turn off the faucet that you turned on in your kitchen or bathroom before you began draining.

7. Turn the Power On

After your water heater has completely re-filled with cold water (you should hear the water stop running through your cold intake valve when your tank is full), it is time to turn the power back on to the unit. For an electric unit, turn the power back on at the breaker box. For a gas unit, re-light the pilot if it has gone out and turn the thermostat back up to your desired temperature. Allow the water heater to warm up for 30 to 45 minutes.

8. Test the Pressure Release Valve

Check with your water heater manufacturer for specific pressure release valve instructions. Some water heaters need to have their pressure release valve tested as often as once every six months, but most units should be tested at least once annually. Before testing, make sure to put a bucket below the test valve if one is not already fitted to your tank to catch the hot water that will flow out during the test. Be careful, as this water may be scalding hot. If you have any concerns with testing the pressure release valve yourself, contact a licensed plumber to check the valve and show you the proper way to test it.

For more information on draining your water heater, and other Do-It-Yourself home projects, check out these great sites:

www.diynetwork.com
www.chilipepperapp.com
www.inspect-ny.com