Why Should I Drain My Water Heater? How To | Moore Heating
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Why Should I Drain My Water Heater? A How To Guide

Why Should I Drain My Water Heater? How To

Jul
31

Most people don’t think about their water heater until their shower runs cold. Did you know that your water heater needs annual maintenance that can be performed by you? Experts recommend that homeowners drain their water heater once every year. Why? To prevent even bigger issues than a chilly shower or two. Learn more.

Is your electric water heater not working? Investigate why by reading Part I and Part II of our blog series, Why Is My Electric Water Heater Not Working? 5 Reasons.

Why Should I Drain My Water Heater?

Water contains minerals that are harmless in themselves but collect in water heater tanks to form sediment and sludge. This sludge acts as a layer of insulation between the water and the heating mechanisms, making it harder for your water heater to heat and deliver hot water for you. Your water heater may run more to do less work, which results in a higher heating bill and an overheating tank. When the tank overheats, the internal, protective lining may crack, which allows for rusting of the tank, which may ultimately lead to a leak or burst and water damage to your home. It is expensive to replace a water heater and even more costly to restore a water damaged home.

How Do I Drain My Water Heater?

To avoid high heating bills, a leaking or burst water tank, and water damage, drain your water heater once every year. Here’s how:

  1. Turn off the power and water to your water heater.
  2. Let the tank cool for as long as it needs–this may be just a few hours or overnight.
  3. Connect a hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of the water heater.
  4. Run the other end of the hose to somewhere that you are okay dumping sludge.
  5. Open the relief valve at the top of the tank. If your water heater does not have a relief valve, run a hot water faucet somewhere in your home.
  6. Flip the drain valve to the “on” position and let it run until the tank is empty.*
  7. Turn the water to your water heater back on to continue clearing the tank. Once the water at the other end of the hose runs clear, you are good to go.
  8. Flip the drain valve to the “off” position.
  9. Close the relief valve or turn the hot water faucet off.
  10. Watch the tank until it is full, then, turn the power back on.’

*If little to no water is coming out of the hose, you may be dealing with a clogged drain valve. Here is a helpful article for unclogging a clogged drain valve. If you cannot get your drain valve unclogged, it may be time to call in a professional.

If you do not feel comfortable performing this maintenance to your water heater, or if you would like other parts of your water heater inspected, call in a professional. A professional can drain your water heater and look for additional issues that lead to unnecessary expenses, such as issues with water pressure or the anode rods. At Moore Heating, we would be more than happy to help you take care of the issue contributing to your cold showers. Give us a call!