| Copyright © 2008 Christopher R. Prickett. All rights reserved worldwide |
Has this ever happened to you? You’re all soaped up in a nice, steamy shower and just as you’re about to
break into the send verse of “Copacabana”, you run out of hot water! Don't blame it all on those darn kids who
showered before you, because the real culprit may be sediment in your water heater.
Whether your water supply is pumped from a well or a municipal source, it’s quite likely that there are minerals,
grit, and other fun stuff pumped right along with it. Over time, this sediment collects in your water heater. The
more sediment in the tank, the less room for the water, and that’s just part of the problem. The sediment also
acts an insulator, reducing the efficiency of the water heater. It can clog supply valves and faucet aerators, and
that decreases the functional flow at your plumbing fixtures. Still not convinced? Then it’s time for a basic
chemistry lesson. Hot water will dissolve some solids that cold water will not. Some of these dissolved
compounds may not be so good for you. Now that I have your attention, let’s add a bit of chlorine (found in
virtually all municipal water supplies), and cook it up with those aforementioned dissolved solids. I think I’ve
made my case: It’s a good idea to drain your water heater.
Are you ready to get started? Not so fast cowpoke, let’s talk safety first! If you have an electric water heater,
shut the power off at the circuit breaker. Draining an electric heater while the power is on will expose the upper
heating element, not a good thing. If your water heater is natural gas, set the gas valve to “Pilot”. With any type
of water heater, remember that you’re dealing with hot water that is under pressure. Take you time and use
caution every step of the way.
You’ll first want to find the drain valve. It is located at the bottom of the water heater and resembles a typical
hose bib or spigot. There is also a pressure relief valve at the top of the tank. You do not need to touch the
relief valve so forget it’s even there.
Locate the tank’s water supply valve and turn it to the OFF position. For a wheel type valve handle you will turn
it clockwise. With valves, bolts, screws and such, remember “lefty-loosey, righty-tighty”. If it is a lever type
handle, move it perpendicular to the valve body. Now turn on any hot water faucet in the house. This will
provide atmospheric pressure to help the tank drain.
Connect a garden house to the lower valve and run the other end to the street. If your water heater is located
in a basement or other area that makes using a hose impractical, you can use a bucket, but you need to be
very careful! The bucket should be sturdy enough to hold very hot water and you should have a helper turn the
valve on and off for you.
Slowly open the valve (lefty-loosey!) and make sure the hose connection does not leak. Depending on the type
of drain valve, you may need a screwdriver or pliers to get it open. Once you check the connection, go ahead
and open it all the way. You should see water coming out of the other end of the hose. Remember, it’s hot!
Look at the water. If it is full of sediment, it either means that the tank hasn’t been drained in a while, or that
your water supply has a high solids content. If it runs clear right away, then it’s just the opposite. Once the
water is running clear, shut drain valve, turn on the water and power supply, and you’re done! Let the faucet
(that you turned on in the house) run for a minute or so to bleed out any air in the water line.
What happens if no water comes out or it suddenly comes to a halt? It could mean that the drain valve is
clogged. Try throttling the water supply valve on and off to blast through the clog. If that doesn’t work, you may
be too late. Know a good plumber?
As a rule of thumb, you should drain your water heater annually. If a whole lot of gunk comes out the first time,
do it again in six months to see how quickly the sediment builds up. If it runs clear right from the start, you can
probably get away with every other year.
Good job! Now go reward yourself with a nice HOT shower!
(Side Bar)
Step by Step Instructions
1. Turn off Circuit breaker (electric) or gas valve to “Pilot”
2. Locate drain valve- it’s at the bottom!
3. Shut off water supply valve
4. Turn on a faucet inside the house
5. Connect a hose to the drain valve and run other end to the street
6. Carefully open drain valve
7. Let the water drain until it runs clear
8. Close the drain valve
9. Open the water heater supply valve
10. Turn on the electric or gas
11. Let the inside hot faucet run 9for a minute or so) to bleed any air
12. Take a hot shower!
break into the send verse of “Copacabana”, you run out of hot water! Don't blame it all on those darn kids who
showered before you, because the real culprit may be sediment in your water heater.
Whether your water supply is pumped from a well or a municipal source, it’s quite likely that there are minerals,
grit, and other fun stuff pumped right along with it. Over time, this sediment collects in your water heater. The
more sediment in the tank, the less room for the water, and that’s just part of the problem. The sediment also
acts an insulator, reducing the efficiency of the water heater. It can clog supply valves and faucet aerators, and
that decreases the functional flow at your plumbing fixtures. Still not convinced? Then it’s time for a basic
chemistry lesson. Hot water will dissolve some solids that cold water will not. Some of these dissolved
compounds may not be so good for you. Now that I have your attention, let’s add a bit of chlorine (found in
virtually all municipal water supplies), and cook it up with those aforementioned dissolved solids. I think I’ve
made my case: It’s a good idea to drain your water heater.
Are you ready to get started? Not so fast cowpoke, let’s talk safety first! If you have an electric water heater,
shut the power off at the circuit breaker. Draining an electric heater while the power is on will expose the upper
heating element, not a good thing. If your water heater is natural gas, set the gas valve to “Pilot”. With any type
of water heater, remember that you’re dealing with hot water that is under pressure. Take you time and use
caution every step of the way.
You’ll first want to find the drain valve. It is located at the bottom of the water heater and resembles a typical
hose bib or spigot. There is also a pressure relief valve at the top of the tank. You do not need to touch the
relief valve so forget it’s even there.
Locate the tank’s water supply valve and turn it to the OFF position. For a wheel type valve handle you will turn
it clockwise. With valves, bolts, screws and such, remember “lefty-loosey, righty-tighty”. If it is a lever type
handle, move it perpendicular to the valve body. Now turn on any hot water faucet in the house. This will
provide atmospheric pressure to help the tank drain.
Connect a garden house to the lower valve and run the other end to the street. If your water heater is located
in a basement or other area that makes using a hose impractical, you can use a bucket, but you need to be
very careful! The bucket should be sturdy enough to hold very hot water and you should have a helper turn the
valve on and off for you.
Slowly open the valve (lefty-loosey!) and make sure the hose connection does not leak. Depending on the type
of drain valve, you may need a screwdriver or pliers to get it open. Once you check the connection, go ahead
and open it all the way. You should see water coming out of the other end of the hose. Remember, it’s hot!
Look at the water. If it is full of sediment, it either means that the tank hasn’t been drained in a while, or that
your water supply has a high solids content. If it runs clear right away, then it’s just the opposite. Once the
water is running clear, shut drain valve, turn on the water and power supply, and you’re done! Let the faucet
(that you turned on in the house) run for a minute or so to bleed out any air in the water line.
What happens if no water comes out or it suddenly comes to a halt? It could mean that the drain valve is
clogged. Try throttling the water supply valve on and off to blast through the clog. If that doesn’t work, you may
be too late. Know a good plumber?
As a rule of thumb, you should drain your water heater annually. If a whole lot of gunk comes out the first time,
do it again in six months to see how quickly the sediment builds up. If it runs clear right from the start, you can
probably get away with every other year.
Good job! Now go reward yourself with a nice HOT shower!
(Side Bar)
Step by Step Instructions
1. Turn off Circuit breaker (electric) or gas valve to “Pilot”
2. Locate drain valve- it’s at the bottom!
3. Shut off water supply valve
4. Turn on a faucet inside the house
5. Connect a hose to the drain valve and run other end to the street
6. Carefully open drain valve
7. Let the water drain until it runs clear
8. Close the drain valve
9. Open the water heater supply valve
10. Turn on the electric or gas
11. Let the inside hot faucet run 9for a minute or so) to bleed any air
12. Take a hot shower!
| DRAIN YOUR WATER HEATER! |