Opening the Drain Valve
- 1 Turn the knob on the drain valve to open it. ...
- 2 Pull up on the pressure relief valve at the top of the tank to open it. ...
- 3 Allow the water to drain completely. ...
- 4 Open the water valve for 5 minutes to flush out the water heater. ...
Full Answer
How do you drain a hot water heater?
Fortunately, draining a water heater is super easy to do. Start by turning off the power or gas and then connect a garden hose to the drain valve. Pop open the drain and pressure relief valves to allow the water to drain out completely.
How to fix a leaking water heater?
Start by turning off the power or gas and then connect a garden hose to the drain valve. Pop open the drain and pressure relief valves to allow the water to drain out completely.
How do you drain a pressure relief valve on a heater?
Then, open the pressure relief valve on the tank and connect a long garden hose to the drain valve. If your heater is above ground, just let the water drain out of the tank and through the hose to an outdoor location. If your heater is below ground, use a pump to pump the water up through the hose.
How do you connect a hose to a water heater?
At the base of the water heater is a small valve called the drain valve. Take a standard garden hose and align it with the threads on the drain valve. Screw the garden hose onto the valve to connect it. Make sure the hose is attached securely and the threads are even so water doesn’t leak out.
How long does it take for a water heater to drain?
Where is the water supply valve on a water heater?
How to see when water heater is working?
Why is it important to close the valves on a water heater?
How to flush sediment out of a gas tank?
What to do when a valve is difficult to open?
Why is my water heater pilot light not working?
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How do you drain a state hot water heater?
How do you drain a water heater?Step 1: Shut off the water supply to your water heater. ... Step 2: Turn off the power to the water heater. ... Step 3: Give the water time to cool off. ... Step 4: Attach a hose to the drain valve. ... Step 5: Turn on a hot water tap. ... Step 6: Open the drain valve.More items...
How do I drain my gas hot water tank?
0:502:11How to drain your GAS water heater - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure it's tight. And then open the drain valve this drain valve happens to have a slot rightMoreMake sure it's tight. And then open the drain valve this drain valve happens to have a slot right here some of the older ones you may see a handle.
Where is the drain valve on a water heater?
1:5918:49How To Replace a Hot Water Heater Drain Valve - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHappens to be that ball valve right there this is up on top of my water heater tank.MoreHappens to be that ball valve right there this is up on top of my water heater tank.
Do you have to turn gas off to drain water heater?
Steps to Draining Your Hot Water Tank Turn off the gas supply or electrical power to your hot water tank. For a gas water heater, turn the thermostat to the “pilot” setting. If it's electric, shut off the breaker or unplug the fuse at the electrical panel.
How long does it take to drain a 40 gallon water heater?
How Much Time Needed To Drain A 40-gallon Water Heater? On average, it will take around 3 to 5 minutes to completely drain a 40-gallon water tank. As mentioned earlier, there are other factors that you need to consider so the time needed may vary depending on the water heater's water pressure and drain valve.
How do I know if my water heater needs to be flushed?
3 Signs it is Time to Drain your Water Heater#1. Your water isn't as hot as it should be. If you are getting lukewarm water, the problem could be lime buildup around your heating elements. ... #2. You've noticed sludge in your water. ... #3. It's been more than 12 months since you last drained it.
Do all water heaters have drain valves?
There are three main types of drain valves found in gas and electric water heaters: plastic, composite, and brass. As stated above, most water heaters come with built-in plastic valves, but you can still replace them with brass/composite valves.
How often should water heater be drained?
once a yearExperts generally recommend that you drain and remove the sediment from your water heater at least once a year. This helps to ensure the greatest supply of hot water to your home, and also prevents the sediment from corroding the water heater's components.
Can you drain a hot water heater by running hot water?
Run Hot Water and Open the Drain Valve Run hot water from a nearby tap, upstairs if possible. This allows hot water to drain from the tank and relieves pressure in the system. Open the drain valve and make sure the water is flowing out of the tank.
What should I do with my gas water heater when I go on vacation?
For gas water heaters, shut off the gas supply to the tank. For electric water heaters, turn off the power to the machine in your breaker box. When you return, simply restore the connections and relight the pilot light if you have a gas water heater.
What happens if you don't drain your water heater?
What happens if you don't flush your water heater? The longer your water heater goes without a drain-and-flush, the more sediment and minerals will accumulate at the bottom of the tank. Eventually, this causes scaling.
Where is the gas shut off valve on a water heater?
All appliances that require water or gas have a separate shut of valve usually within a few feet of the appliance. To find a water heaters' gas shut off valve look for a single handle valve that would usually be located at the bottom of the unit about a foot or two out.
How long does it take to drain a 75 gallon water heater?
Open the water heater drain valve and drain your tank completely. Once the water is drained, which should take no more than 15 minutes, turn on the cold water supply valve to help get rid of the sediment in your tank.
How do you drain a Rheem gas hot water heater?
0:563:33How to Flush a Tank Water Heater - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLine open a hot water faucet somewhere in the house that will relieve the system pressure inside theMoreLine open a hot water faucet somewhere in the house that will relieve the system pressure inside the tank. Now open the drain valve. And allow the water to drain.
How often should water heater be drained?
once a yearExperts generally recommend that you drain and remove the sediment from your water heater at least once a year. This helps to ensure the greatest supply of hot water to your home, and also prevents the sediment from corroding the water heater's components.
How much water should you drain from hot water heater?
Open the water heater drain valve (beware of hot water!). Flush 3 to 4 gallons, then close the valve (if draining, continue until empty).
How to Drain a Water Heater - This Old House
The 5 Best Electric Fireplaces (2022 Review) Whether you want to heat your space or create a cozy atmosphere, an electric fireplace is an affordable and low-maintenance option. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the five best electric fireplaces on Amazon to help you find the one that’s right for you.
8 Simple Steps To Drain A Hot Water Tank | MT Drains
Old towel – You are working with water, so don’t act surprised if you get a little dirty. Have an old towel to wipe your hands from time to time. Garden hose – The longer the hose, the easier the project will go. Plumbers recommend expandable garden hoses because they are longer and make the process mess-free.
Where is the cold water valve on a water heater?
The cold water supply valve will be clearly marked on the top of the water heater and should have a blue handle.
Where is the breaker on a water heater?
Most electric water heaters are wired directly to their own circuit breaker. Find the water heater's breaker switch in the main electrical panel.
Why does my water heater make a popping noise?
Sediment buildup can potentially reduce the efficiency and capacity of your water heater. Sediment can interfere with burner efficiency in a gas water heater and can cause cracking and popping noises during heating cycles.
What causes water to settle in the bottom of the tank?
Over time, naturally occurring minerals in water, as well as sand and grit flushed from municipal water lines, can settle in the bottom of your home water heater tank. Sediment buildup can potentially reduce the efficiency and capacity of your water heater.
How to drain sediment from a septic tank?
Open the drain valve and allow the water to drain from the tank. Again, the water will be hot, so use caution. Once all water has drained from the tank, briefly turn on the cold water supply to the tank. This will stir up any remaining sediment.
Why do water heaters have holding tanks?
Most water heaters employ a large, insulated holding tank to ensure there's plenty of hot water on hand at all times for different purposes throughout the home. Over time, naturally occurring minerals in the water, as well as sand and grit flushed from municipal water lines, can settle in the bottom of the tank.
What does turning the thermostat to pilot do?
Turning the thermostat to pilot turns off the burner on a gas water heater.
How to get sediment out of water heater?
If quite a bit of sediment comes out, you can repeat this a couple of times. Turn off the water heater. Shut off the gas to your water heater, or shut off the power if it is an electric heater. Now shut off the water, using either the valve in the cold-water pipe above the water heater or the main water supply valve to the house.
How to flush a water heater tank?
Before you shut off the water, connect a garden hose to the drain valve and try and flush the water heater tank a bit while the water pressure is on. To do this, open the drain valve for a few seconds and then close it again. The pressure will blow out any sediment stuck in the valve and help the tank drain faster. If quite a bit of sediment comes out, you can repeat this a couple of times.
How to flush a water tank when it is fully drained?
Once the tank is fully drained, you can flush it with a few gallons at a time by turning the water on for few seconds and then letting it drain out again.
Can a water heater drain?
This buildup will cause the water heater to work harder to heat the water, using more energy and costing more money to run. It is fairly easy to drain a water heater, but you should know what to expect before you begin.
How many gallons of water does a water heater drain?
In general, a water heater drains at an average of nine to seventeen gallons per minute . You can use this rate to calculate how long you must wait to empty the hot water tank.
How long does it take to drain a water heater?
Is this your first time draining your water heater, but you are unsure how to drain a water heater fast enough not to disrupt your family’s hot water needs? If you are methodical in your approach, draining a water heater should not take more than an hour, including other related activities.
What to do if you hear a sound in your water heater?
If you hear the sound, you can close the T&P valve and proceed in draining electric water heater or gas water heater.
What to do if you don't see a shut off valve?
If you do not see a shutoff valve, try following the water supply line and locate a shutoff valve. Most households have a master shutoff valve at the main water supply line. Shut this valve off.
Why drain water heater?
Draining a water heater is an essential maintenance activity. It allows you to remove mineral deposits from the tank’s bottom and clean it to maintain its water heating performance.
How to prevent puddles in garden hose?
Having old towels or pieces of rags can help minimize mess. You can place these materials underneath the drain valve and the garden hose’s entire length. It should prevent puddles from forming and reduce the amount of cleanup after the process.
How to speed up cooling process?
You can hasten the cooling process by opening a nearby hot water faucet. Do not close the main water supply valve yet because you need cold water to flow into the tank as the hot water flows out of the open water faucet.
What is state select water heater?
State Select® gas water heaters feature an FVIR Compliant design, which meets the ANSI Z21.10.1-CSA 4.1 standards for flammable vapor ignition resistance.Select water heaters are available in a variety of heights which can accommodate installations with limited space.
How far can a select water heater vent?
And, our specialty vent gas water heater options can be installed almost anywhere in your home because they can vent up to 125 feet. Our direct vent models feature two-pipe combustion systems that draw clean air from outside the home, eliminating any worries about indoor ventilation.
What is select direct vent?
Select® Direct Vent design is a one-pipe, dual-channel which draws all make-up air from outside the home, eliminating problems caused by insufficient indoor ventilation.
How long does it take for a water heater to drain?
Allow the water to drain completely. It can take up to 30 minutes for your water heater to completely drain. When the water stops flowing from the garden hose, then the water heater has finished draining. Keep an eye on the garden hose to make sure it’s draining properly.
Where is the water supply valve on a water heater?
On the top right side of the water heater is a valve that controls the flow of water into the water heater. Turn the knob or move the switch to shut off the water supply. If you can’t locate your water supply valve, check the owner’s manual or look up the make and model of your water heater online to find it.
How to see when water heater is working?
Use a flashlight or set up a lamp near the water heater so you can see while you’re working.
Why is it important to close the valves on a water heater?
It’s important that the valves are closed tight so they don’t leak when you turn the water heater back on and allow it to fill up.
How to flush sediment out of a gas tank?
Start by turning off the power or gas and then connect a garden hose to the drain valve. Pop open the drain and pressure relief valves to allow the water to drain out completely. Turn the water supply back on to flush out any remaining sediment. Then, close up the valves, restore the power or gas, and you’re all set!
What to do when a valve is difficult to open?
If the valve is difficult to open, use a wrench to help turn it.
Why is my water heater pilot light not working?
Most likely if it's a gas water heater, the pilot light isn't ignited to warm the water. If it's electrical, check the circuit breakers and wiring.
