It’s important to drain your water heater once or twice a year. By doing so, you’ll remove harmful sediment that forms on the bottom. Sediment reduces the efficiency of your water heater and makes it fail faster.
Pressure-Relief Valve
The first thing to do is check the pressure-relief valve. Turn your water heater off and close the valve on the cold-water supply line. Place a bucket under the pressure-relief valve and open it. Listen for air, and then see if any water comes. If either of these things happens, the valve works correctly and doesn’t need to be replaced.
Run a Drain Line
Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and place the other end outside. Open the valve, and then open the hot water tap in your kitchen sink. Let the tank drain completely before moving on to the next step.
Flush the Tank With Water
You need to flush the tank with water so that all the sediment is removed. Turn the water on for a few seconds at a time. This will stir up the sediment so that it goes into the drain valve. Repeat this step until the water coming out of your water tank is clear.
Refill Your Water Tank
Close the drain valve and remove the garden hose. Open the cold-water line and let your water heater fill back up with water. Go into your kitchen and turn off the kitchen sink hot-water tap once water is coming out.
Restart the Water Tank
You now need to restart your water tank. If it’s an electric water tank, restore its power. If you have a gas water tank, turn the knob from “PILOT” to “ON.” You’ll have hot water again in about an hour.
Evans Mechanical in Eureka, CA, repairs and replaces tankless water heaters. We also repair, replace, and tune-up heaters and air conditioners. Our company offers indoor air quality products and services as well. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
