How to Drain a Water Heater in Easy Steps

Learning how to flush a water heater and doing so routinely as part of your home maintenance schedule will help extend the home appliance’s life span significantly. Draining removes any sediment and other debris that may have built up over time. A clean water heater will work better and last longer.

Why flush a water heater?

Naturally occurring minerals, sand, and grit flushed from municipal water lines may settle in the bottom of your hot water heater over time. This buildup can reduce the life span, efficiency, and capacity of your heating system. Moreover, the debris can also plug the drain and interfere with its maintenance. All this can lead to your home appliance’s early failure.

What are the warning signs that your water heater has sediment buildup?

There are several indicators of sediment buildup in your heater. These include:

Increased energy bills despite the same usage
Running out of hot water prematurely
Noise from the heater while it’s running
Rusty or smelly hot water
Longer time in heating up the water
Inconsistent water temperature

How to flush a water heater?

Fortunately, draining a water heater to remove all the sediments can be done easily. The DIY project takes very little time and some basic tools.

That said, you must go through the owner’s manual of your particular type of water heater before beginning the draining and cleaning process.)

If you’re hesitant to perform this type of maintenance, you can always hire a professional plumber for the water heater draining.

However, if you’re gung-ho about draining your water heater, here is a step-by-step guide to help you along the way.

Turn off the cold water supply to the heater

You can see a water pipe and a shutoff valve at the top of the tank of the water heater. You’ll need to stop the water flow into the heater tank by turning this valve.

Cut off the power to the water heater

Turning off the main power supply to the heater will prevent you from potentially burning out the heating elements. If it’s an electric water heater, switch off the power from your home’s electrical panel or breaker box. If it’s a natural gas water heater, turn off the water heater’s thermostat. Or, turn the thermostat to ‘pilot’ or shut off the gas supply completely.

Give some time for the water to cool down

Let the hot water within the tank cool down to prevent any injury. Ideally, you should wait overnight or for at least a few hours. It’s best if you can utilize the hot water by taking a shower. It will also speed up the cooling process.

Attach a garden hose to the drain valve

Start by placing one end of a garden hose into the floor drain or somewhere outside your home. Take the other end and attach it to the drain valve of your water heater.

Turn on a hot water faucet

Turn on a hot water sink faucet closest to the water heater to help alleviate pressure in the system and allow the heater to drain quickly.

Open the heater’s drain valve

Open the drain valve. It will allow the water to flow out of the tank. It might take some time to drain out the water if the tank is full or if there’s a lot of sediment buildup.

Turn the water supply back on

Turn the cold water supply on with the drain valve still open. This will flush the tank with fresh, clean water and help eliminate any remaining sediment. Repeat the procedure until the water runs clear.

Refill the heater’s tank

Remove the garden hose from the drain valve, close the drain valve, and turn the water supply or gas supply back on. Wait to refill the water heater tank completely.

How often should you flush a water heater?

Experts recommend draining the water heater once a year – more frequently if you live in a region with hard water. That said, your owner’s manual will have the exact specifications.

It’s important to drain your heating appliance regularly to keep it running efficiently and the hot water flowing without interruption.

Need help with your heater maintenance?

You can easily schedule your home maintenance tasks through Kukun My Maintenance. You can organize your routine home tasks in a calendar form, add new ones, and get timely reminders to complete them. What’s more, you’ll even receive home improvement recommendations that increase your home’s value. From cleaning gutters and downspouts to maintaining kitchen appliances and HVAC systems, you can monitor your home upkeep at the click of a button. Keeping your house in tip-top shape was never this systematic!

Last thoughts

Sometimes, all you need is a relaxing shower, with hot water, after a long day of work. And, for that to happen, you need to give your water heater some regular TLC to ensure it remains in top shape. If you ignore flushing your water heater, bacteria can build up, making your water heater less effective. Neglecting it might even lead to an unintentional ice bath challenge. Draining your water heater – regardless of the type of tank water heater you have – annually will make it more efficient and safe. It will remove any sediment that builds up and will keep your heater running for years to come.

FAQs

Can I flush my water heater myself?

Yes, you can definitely flush your water heater yourself. It’s a good maintenance practice that helps remove sediment and maintain the efficiency of your water heater. You’ll need to follow the instructions in your water heater’s manual, but it typically involves flushing out the sediments.

Can you flush a hot water heater without draining it?

Yes, it’s possible to flush a hot water heater without fully draining it. This method usually involves connecting a hose to the drain valve and using a pump to circulate water through the system, helping to remove sediment. While it may not be as thorough as a full drain and flush, it can still improve the performance of your water heater.

How to know if it’s time to flush your hot water heater?

If you experience reduced hot water supply, hear strange noises from your water heater, or it’s been a while since the last flush, it’s likely time to flush your water heater.

Should I consult professionals for flushing my water heater?

If you lack the necessary tools or find the process challenging, seeking professional help is a good option.

How to flush a water heater step by step was last modified: September 23rd, 2024 by Ramona Sinha

Written by Ramona Sinha. January 4, 2023

Ramona is the Senior Content Writer for Kukun. This experienced blogger uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. She has written articles covering a broad range of topics, such as real estate, lending and mortgage, finance, business, taxation, home designs, home improvement projects, decor concepts, and more. An avid traveler, she’s a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depth of her soul.