XMurray Anderson
I learned home repair and maintenance hands on. Over the past 30 years I've built sheds, decks, fences and gates and planted numerous trees and shrubs. Inside I've done all the common jobs like repairing and installing toilets, plumbing and light fixtures plus I've transformed three basements from bare concrete floors and walls into warm , bright family rooms. I write on home maintenance and repair for DoItYourself.com and answer maintenance and repair questions online at MyHomeImprovement.com.
Website
By Murray Anderson, eHow Contributor
Print this article Over time, water heaters (both gas and electric) get sediment in them. If left too long, it can make your water heater less efficient and decrease its life span, so it's wise to get rid of it. Draining your water heater will flush the sediment right out of the tank.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy Instructions
Things You'll Need
Garden hose to attach to water tank drain
Get what you need for every
project at HomeDepot.com Draining your water heater
1
Shut off the heating element for your water tank. If you have an electric water heater, turn off the breaker at the main panel. If it's a gas heater, turn the thermostat to the "pilot" setting.
2
Turn off the cold water supply to your tank. You probably have a shut-off right at the tank (on a copper pipe running into the top of the tank), but you may need to turn off the main water supply to your house.
3
Attach a garden hose to the bottom drain valve on your water tank and run the hose to a drain.
4
Turn on a hot water faucet in your home (this will make sure a vacuum doesn't form in the lines).
5
Return to the tank and open the drain valve near the bottom of the tank. (The valve on the side of the tank, near the top, is a pressure relief valve. Leave it alone.)
6
Check the color of the water coming out of the tank. At first it will likely be rusty or dark, but after a few gallons have drained, it should become clear.
7
Close the drain valve on the tank when the water runs clear, then turn off the hot water tap in your home.
8
Turn the cold water supply back on and allow the tank to fill.
9
Turn the power or the gas supply back on once the tank has filled with water.
Read more: How to Drain a Water Heater | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2001880_drain-water-heater.html#ixzz1Qi6EaHRI
I learned home repair and maintenance hands on. Over the past 30 years I've built sheds, decks, fences and gates and planted numerous trees and shrubs. Inside I've done all the common jobs like repairing and installing toilets, plumbing and light fixtures plus I've transformed three basements from bare concrete floors and walls into warm , bright family rooms. I write on home maintenance and repair for DoItYourself.com and answer maintenance and repair questions online at MyHomeImprovement.com.
Website
By Murray Anderson, eHow Contributor
Print this article Over time, water heaters (both gas and electric) get sediment in them. If left too long, it can make your water heater less efficient and decrease its life span, so it's wise to get rid of it. Draining your water heater will flush the sediment right out of the tank.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy Instructions
Things You'll Need
Garden hose to attach to water tank drain
Get what you need for every
project at HomeDepot.com Draining your water heater
1
Shut off the heating element for your water tank. If you have an electric water heater, turn off the breaker at the main panel. If it's a gas heater, turn the thermostat to the "pilot" setting.
2
Turn off the cold water supply to your tank. You probably have a shut-off right at the tank (on a copper pipe running into the top of the tank), but you may need to turn off the main water supply to your house.
3
Attach a garden hose to the bottom drain valve on your water tank and run the hose to a drain.
4
Turn on a hot water faucet in your home (this will make sure a vacuum doesn't form in the lines).
5
Return to the tank and open the drain valve near the bottom of the tank. (The valve on the side of the tank, near the top, is a pressure relief valve. Leave it alone.)
6
Check the color of the water coming out of the tank. At first it will likely be rusty or dark, but after a few gallons have drained, it should become clear.
7
Close the drain valve on the tank when the water runs clear, then turn off the hot water tap in your home.
8
Turn the cold water supply back on and allow the tank to fill.
9
Turn the power or the gas supply back on once the tank has filled with water.
Read more: How to Drain a Water Heater | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2001880_drain-water-heater.html#ixzz1Qi6EaHRI
