How To Drain A Water Heater

Water heaters have not only grown into an essential component of the modern household. The appliance also advanced to the point where its capabilities are truly astonishing. There is no better definitive proof than the modern advancement of technology. A&E NYC Plumbing Tankless water heaters are just one of the many prime examples. Although these appliances are well past the trial-and-error stages of production, installation, and marketing, they are still rather expensive. This is especially the case when compared to the relic tank designs. Both tank and tankless designs are mechanical systems that will arrive at points when they need servicing. While the biggest difference between the two designs is right there in the name. It is also one of the biggest distinctions in repair, maintenance, and installation. Despite the dependability and lower price tag of the tank designs, many of the eventual required repairs and maintenance tasks will require the draining of that tank. Luckily, this is something that can be easily accomplished with a little bit of know-how and a garden hose.

Locating The Appliance, Power Source, And Water Main

The difficulty of draining a water heater will ultimately come down to several key factors. The location and provided access will probably be the biggest hurdle, but there is also access to both the water and power supply to consider as well. Locating the appliance is the first hurdle. In the best possible scenarios, these appliances are located in a bathroom closet, next to the shower or toilet. These types of configurations will without a doubt make the job much easier. A water heater in the garage or stand-up basement will also reduce the difficulty of the task. The job will be even easier if there are water and power cutoffs located near the appliance. Depending on how far the appliance is from the water and electric mains, some installers will wire in a switch and water cutoffs If there are no water cutoffs or an electric switch, this task will likely require accessing the mains. Either way, shutting down the power and water is the first step. It’s not only for safety purposes, but not shutting the power could lead to shorts, grounds, and burned-up electrical elements. It is electrical elements internally installed that heat your water to a specific temperature. Much like a thermostat, when the water drops below that temperature those elements will heat the water until it reaches the set temperature. If these elements come on without water in the tank, it will cause them to burn out. Closing the water valves, on the other, will prevent more water refilling in the tank. Just like the temperature sensor, the tank also contains a water level and will want to automatically fill when it reaches the set water level. So, to reiterate, locating and shutting down the water and power is the first step. If you are lucky, everything you need to accomplish this will be located right there at the water heater. If you are unluckier, you’ll likely need to access both the water main and the main electric junction box.

Connecting Your Garden Hose

The length of your garden hose will depend on where you are draining the water as well as where the water heater is located. If the appliance is in the garage or stand-up basement, you can simply drain it outside or to a nearby drain. Other installation configurations might require draining in a sink, bathtub, or out the window. While you are locating the water heater and accessing water and electrical shut-offs, you can make the process easier by also noting the water heater’s drain outlet. This outlet is always situated on the bottom to maximize draining capabilities. An additional perk of using a garden hose is, the male end will thread right into the outlet. You can even go ahead and attach the hose and run the other end to an appropriate draining location. Do not open the drain valve until both the power and water are shut off to the appliance. Once the hot and cold water is shut off along with the power, you can open the valve. The water from the tank should drain through the hose. The time it takes to complete this step will vary depending on the size and location of the appliance. It shouldn’t take more than 15 or 20 minutes. If after that time water is still coming through the hose at a rapid rate, it might be possible that you haven’t properly shut the water supply down or the valve is malfunctioning.