Your hot water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home. Your family uses hot water every day to shower and bathe, clean the house, and wash dishes and clothes.
A hot water heater tank can start to heat water less efficiently and even break down if it isn’t taken care of and maintained. And one of the most important things you can do for your water heater is to drain and flush it regularly.
In this guide, we’ll go over why draining your hot water tank is so important, how often you should do it, and steps on how to do it yourself. And as always, if you prefer to have a professional take care of things, Hot Water Ottawa is always here to help.
Why Draining Your Water Heater Is Important
Draining your water heater tank is important to keep it working great and help it last as long as possible. Why?
Over time, minerals from your water supply settle at the bottom of your hot water tank. Once it builds up enough, this layer of sediment can act like a barrier between the water and your tank’s heating element, causing it to take longer to heat the water. This sediment also takes up space in your tank, meaning there’s less space to hold hot water.
By regularly draining your hot water tank, you’ll flush out this sediment, keep your water heater running properly, and prevent corrosion.
What Happens If I Don’t Drain My Hot Water Tank?
By not regularly draining your tank, you’ll have:
- Lower efficiency: It will take longer to heat hot water.
- Higher bills: It will take more energy to heat the same amount of water.
- Chance of breakdown: A lot of sediment buildup over time can cause your water heater tank to overheat and break down.
Step-by-Step Guide to Draining Your Water Heater
If you’ve decided to drain your water heater yourself, here’s how to do it, step by step:
1. Preparation
Before you begin, you’ll need:
- A garden hose
- A bucket (optional)
- Gloves and safety glasses
- Screwdrivers and wrenches, depending on your water heater
Clear the area around the water heater tank and decide on a safe spot to drain the water.
2. Shutting Down the Water Heater
- Turn off the power supply: If have an electric water heater, turn the power off, and also switch off the power at the circuit breaker. If you have a natural gas water heater, turn the thermostat to “pilot” or the lowest temperature setting.
- Turn off the cold water valve: At the top of the hot water tank, find the cold water supply valve and turn it off completely.
3. Draining the Tank
- Find the drain valve and attach a hose: The drain valve will be near the bottom of the tank. Find it and secure your garden hose tightly.
- Direct the hose to a drainage area: Find a spot such as a basement floor drain, a sink, your driveway, or some outdoor space that can handle hot water.
- Open the drain valve: Open the valve and let the water flow out until the tank is empty. Remember that this water is hot.
4. Flushing Out Sediment
- Turn the cold water supply back on: Once your tank is empty, let more cold water in to stir up any remaining sediment.
- Flush until clear: Keep running cold water and flushing it until the water looks clear.
5. Refilling the Tank
- Turn off the drain valve: Close the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and remove the hose.
- Turn on cold water supply: Open the cold water supply valve at the top of the tank to refill the tank.
- Turn power on: Once the tank is full and the pressure is stable, you can turn the power on both on the heater and at the power breaker.
Safety Precautions to Consider
Remember that when you drain your water heater, you’re dealing with very hot water. You’re also dealing with electricity or gas. Make sure to:
- Wear insulated gloves and safety glasses.
- Double-check that the power supply is off before starting.
- Be very careful not to get splashed.
- Make sure the hose is secure and pointed somewhere that hot water won’t cause damage.
How Often Should I Drain My Water Heater?
We recommend you drain your water heater once a year. If you live in a house with very hard water, you might want to consider doing it every six months to get rid of that mineral buildup.
What Are the Signs That My Water Heater Needs Draining?
If you notice any of these, give your water heater a draining and flush.
- Rumbling or popping sounds when the water heater is running.
- Running out of hot water quicker than usual.
- Your “hot” water isn’t very hot.
- A sudden increase in your energy bills.
Get Hot Water Ottawa Maintenance
Draining your hot water tank is definitely doable yourself. Simply follow the steps in this guide and ideally make sure you do it at least once a year.
If you prefer to leave it to professionals, our team of experts at How Water Ottawa is at your service.
We specialize in hot water heater sales, maintenance, repairs, and replacements, servicing the entire Ottawa area.
Give us a call at 613-729-5052 or book a hot water tank drain and flush online!