How much water does your hot water heater hold? If it’s less than 50 gallons, you should consider draining it and refilling it with fresh water. Why? Hot water heaters need to be drained and refilled every two to five years, depending on the severity of your local water quality. There are lots of benefits associated with draining a hot water heater, including extending its lifespan, avoiding repairs, preventing leaks and reducing the risk of accidents. Here is how you can drain a hot water heater and refill it correctly. This process is straightforward and easy to do if you have the right tools and safety precautions in place. It will take about an hour from start to finish, but you’ll reap the rewards for several years afterward.
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Why You Should Drain and Refill Your Hot Water Heater
Hot water heaters are designed to last up to 12 years, which is a significant improvement on the lifespan of their predecessors. However, with regular maintenance, you can expect to get a lot more out of your investment. Draining and refilling your hot water heater every two to five years will extend its lifespan significantly. In fact, it’s estimated that doing this will add about 10 years to the life of your tank. Hot water heaters are made of metals, such as copper and stainless steel, that are susceptible to rust. Sediment from your water supply will build up inside the tank, which will increase the likelihood of rusting. When that happens, you’ll either need to replace the tank or clean it out. Cleaning it isn’t as effective, and it carries a higher risk of injury. Therefore, it’s better to drain the tank and avoid the problem altogether.
Step 1: Turn Off the Electricity
Before you do anything else, shut off the electricity to your water heater. You don’t want to be standing in water while managing the other aspects of this job. You can shut off the electricity by shutting off the main circuit breaker in your home.
Step 2: Drain the Tank
If your water heater has a drain valve, open it to begin the draining process. If your water heater doesn’t have a drain valve, you can complete this section using a sump pump or a bucket of water. For the latter, put the bucket under the water heater and let it fill up until it starts to flow out of the water heater. Once the water begins to flow, use a bucket or sump pump to remove it.
Step 3: Disconnect the Drainpipe
If your water heater has a drainpipe, you need to disconnect it to ensure that the water can flow freely. You can do this by opening the clamp at the top of the drainpipe and pulling it down and away from the water heater.
Step 4: Flush Out the Sediment
Once you’ve removed the water from the tank, you’ll be able to see the sediment that has accumulated. You can either use a garden hose or a water hose to flush it out of the tank. Use enough water to remove all of the sediment, but don’t use so much water that it flows back into the water heater.
Step 5: Refill the Tank
The next step is to refill the water heater with clean water. You can buy a water test kit to determine the quality of your local water supply, or you can use a water hardness test kit to determine the level of minerals in your water. With this information, you can choose the correct water softener to use with your water heater. Once you’ve done this, fill up the water heater until it reaches the top.
Step 6: Test your hot water heater
At this point, you’ve drained and refilled your water heater and flushed out the sediment that has accumulated. So now it’s time to test it to see if it works properly. Turn the electricity back on and let the water heater tank heat up, just like you would if you were going to use it. While you’re waiting, use a water quality test kit to determine the quality of your water supply. Once the tank has heated up, test the water from every faucet in your home. It should be hot, clean and safe to drink.
Drain Rheem Water Heater
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about your hot water heater until there’s a problem. But it’s a good idea to give it some attention every once in a while, to make sure it’s in good working order. One important task is to drain the water heater on a regular basis. This helps to remove sediment and other deposits that can build up over time. It’s a pretty simple process, and it only takes a few minutes. Here’s how to do it:
- Turn off the power to the water heater.
- Attach a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the heater.
- Place the other end of the hose in a drain or outside.
- Open the drain valve and let the water flow out until it runs clear.
- Close the drain valve and turn the power back on.
Draining your water heater on a regular basis is an important part of maintenance. By doing it, you can help to extend the life of your heater and keep it running smoothly.
Hot Water Heater Drain Valve
One of the most important maintenance tasks for a hot water heater is draining it regularly to remove any sediment that has built up. Over time, this sediment can cause the heater to become less efficient and even break down completely. Draining the heater is a simple process, but it’s important to do it correctly to avoid any damage. The first step is to turn off the power to the heater. Next, locate the drain valve and open it to allow the water to start draining. Once the water has stopped draining, close the valve and turn the power back on. That’s all there is to it! By draining your hot water heater regularly, you can extend its lifespan and keep it running efficiently for years to come.
Summary
Draining and refilling your hot water heater is a straightforward process that will take about an hour. It’s recommended that you do this once every two to five years, depending on your local water quality. You can extend the lifespan of your hot water heater significantly by draining it and refilling it with clean water. There are several benefits associated with this process, including the fact that it will make the water hotter, reduce the risk of leaks and extend the lifespan of your hot water heater.
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