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There are several styles of residential water heaters, but among the most common in American households are storage water heaters. These appliances feature large storage tanks that maintain a ready supply of hot water. Draining this tank may sound like a challenging undertaking, but it’s surprisingly manageable with just a few household items. The guide below explains how to empty water heater tanks for maintenance needs and improved efficiency.
Why It’s Important to Drain Your Hot Water Heater Regularly
Draining your water heater helps prevent the accumulation of sediment at the bottom of the storage tank. As water sits in the tank, suspended minerals and other solid particles gradually sink to the bottom, eventually forming deposits that can interfere with the water heater’s functionality. The main problems that can arise due to excess sediment in the tank are:
- Reduced appliance efficiency and reliability
- Higher risk of tank corrosion
- Increased wear and tear
- Greater energy consumption
- Reduced appliance lifespan
- Poor water quality
Water softeners can help some, but they don’t eliminate the need to periodically drain and flush a water heater’s storage tank.
How to Drain Your Electric Water Heater vs. Gas Water Heater
Whether you have an electric water heater or gas water heater, the process for draining the tank is the same once you have shut off the power source. Here’s how to drain your hot water heater:
1. Gather your materials.
First make sure you have all the tools needed for the job at hand. You’ll need:
- Large bucket
- Garden hose
- Flathead screwdriver or wrench
2. Turn off the electricity of gas.
Ensure the water heater is not receiving any electricity. Cut power to the water heater’s circuit at the breaker box.
If you have a gas water heater, close the main shut-off valve to cut off the gas supply.
3. Shut off the cold water supply to the water heater.
Cutting off the water source eliminates the possibility of the tank refilling as you attempt to drain it.
4. Allow the water in the tank to cool.
At this point, the water in your water heater’s tank is still quite hot. If you have your water heater’s thermostat set to the manufacturer’s recommended temperature setting, then the water is probably around 140°F, which is hot enough to scald your skin. Wait an hour or two for the water inside the tank to come down to room temperature. The time this takes is dependent on your water heater’s temperature setting, tank volume, and ambient temperature.
5. Open the hot water taps around your home.
Opening the hot water taps in your sinks and bathtubs can prevent the formation of a vacuum and facilitate the drainage of water from the storage tank. Water will flow from the taps as usual and then taper off to a trickle. Keep the taps open while you finish draining and flushing your water heater.
6. Attach the garden hose to the storage tank’s drain valve.
Secure one end of the hose to the water heater’s drain valve, which you will typically find toward the bottom of the tank.
7. Place the other end of the hose in the bucket.
The water in the storage tank will flow through the drain valve, through the hose, and into the bucket. You can also position the hose to deposit the water outside or down a drain.
8. Open the drain valve.
Use the flathead screwdriver or wrench to open the drain valve at the base of the tank. This will allow the water to begin flowing through the hose.
9. Monitor the water flowing out of the storage tank for sediment.
Observe the water as it flows into the bucket. If you see substantial amounts of sediment, you will want to flush the tank after the initial drainage is complete.
Also be mindful of the volume of your bucket. If the bucket is smaller than the tank itself, you will have to close the drain valve to stop the flow, discard the water in the bucket, reposition the hose in the bucket, and reopen the valve to continue draining the tank.
10. Flush the tank as needed to remove any remaining sediment.
Once the tank has fully drained, you can purge any remaining bits of sediment by flushing the tank a few times. Simply turn on the cold water supply for a few seconds to allow fresh water to rush into the tank. You don’t need to let the tank fill all the way. Repeat this process until the water flowing into the bucket runs clear.
11. Close the drain valve and disconnect the garden hose.
With the tank free of sediment, you can close the drain valve with the screwdriver or wrench, then unscrew and pack up the garden hose. Return the hose, bucket, and screwdriver or wrench to storage.
12. Reopen the cold water supply valve.
Now that the drain valve is closed, you can reopen the cold water supply valve. Allow the tank to fill completely.
13. Return the water heater to its power or fuel source.
After the tank has refilled with cold water, restore power to the water heater at the breaker box. If you have a gas water heater, reopen the gas shut-off valve. If your water heater uses a pilot light, you may need to reignite it.
14. Check the temperature settings and scan for signs of wear.
Finally, give the thermostat a quick check to confirm it is still set at your preferred temperature setting. Most experts recommend a setting between 120°F and 140°F. It’s best to stay on the low end of that range if you have young kids in the home.
Also scan the water heater and its surroundings for any signs of trouble. Look for possible leaks, corrosion, rust, and loose fittings or connections. If you see anything amiss, troubleshoot your water heater to diagnose the problem and reach out to your home warranty provider or a professional technician.
Safety Tips for Draining Your Water Heater
Knowing how to drain your gas water heater or electric water heater doesn’t require a lot of technical skill, but there are important safety considerations that should be top of mind.
- Disconnect the water heater from its power source before attempting to drain the tank. Cut power at the breaker box.
- If you have a gas water heater, cut off the gas supply with the shut-off valve.
- Allow the water in the tank to fully cool before attempting to drain. Water heaters are under pressure and the water may come out forcefully. You risk burns if you get splashed by water that is still hot from the tank.
How Often Should You Empty Your Water Heater?
As a rule of thumb, plan to drain and flush your water heater every 6 to 12 months. If your home has hard water, you may want to drain the tank even more often — about every 3 to 6 months.
You can also increase the frequency with which you drain the tank as the water heater ages.
Signs Your Water Heater Needs Professional Attention
Monitor your water heater for any signs of impending malfunction. Some issues to look out for include:
- Leaks coming from the appliance
- Corrosion and rust
- Rusty or discolored water
- Water that smells foul or has a powerful odor of sulfur
- Rattling, banging, hissing, or other strange sounds
- Inconsistent temperature regulation
- Lack of hot water
- Poor or inconsistent water pressure
Periodically draining your water heater’s storage tank and staying on top of other maintenance tasks will help to extend the appliance’s lifespan and keep malfunctions at bay, but problems can still arise unexpectedly. You can mitigate some of the costs associated with surprise repair by leveraging home warranty protection. Learn more by speaking with the Liberty Home Guard team at (833)-566-9210.
