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Home » Plumbing DIY Tips » How to Drain a Hot Water Tank or Water Heater ?
A hot water tank is a crucial home appliance in a country like Canada. Major household activities like washing clothes, doing dishes, bathing, etc., depend upon our hot water tank system. We can’t imagine a day without hot water in our home.
To ensure a constant flow of hot water in your home, it is essential to repair , maintain, flush and drain a hot water tank. Repairs should always be handled by a professional plumber, such as Everest Drain and Plumbing of Toronto. However, regular maintenance and flushing can be done on your own by following the steps below.
This blog will guide you to clean and flush your hot water tank like a pro.
Draining a hot water tank simply to flush and clean out the debris and sediment buildup inside the hot water tank.
Draining the hot water tank is one of those simple jobs that nonetheless ensures sediment accumulation doesn’t build up, thus offering efficiency and extending the life expectancy of your water heater. After some time, minerals and all other forms of debris settle down to the bottom of the tank, making the operation of a heater difficult and inefficient. It can increase energy bills and also damage your water heater.
If you don’t periodically drain your hot water tank, you may experience problems with slow heating, noisy operation, or discolored water. It’s always good to make draining your water heater part of your routine at least once a year to keep your system in good condition.
Watch this Youtube video to see how the hot water tank looks from the inside after long use with no maintenance.
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Draining the hot water tank is easy and quick process, if you can gather or have following tools:
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First and foremost, we need to locate the cold-water supply valve and turn it off. This valve can be found on top of the heater. This will stop water flow from entering the hot water tank.
There will be water inside the tank, which is usually at a high temperature. Sit back, relax, and wait a few hours until the water cools down. You can check the water temperature by opening a nearby faucet or fixture.
BE CAUTIOUS WHEN CHECKING WATER DIRECTLY
At the bottom of the tank, there you will find the drain valve. Connect the garden hose to that drain valve. Some tanks may need a drain connector or valve/hose bib to connect a garden hose. Don’t forget to place the other end of the bucket on the nearest floor drain if you have it or on the bucket.
Open the hot side of a nearby sink or any faucet to allow air into the supply line. This will help the water drain faster.
Now, its time to drain out the water. Open the drain valve or connected hose bib and let the water flow out. Water might appear dirty, if it happens, drain until you see clear.
When water has stopped flowing out. Turn on the cold-water supply line that was turned off in the first step. This will help flush out any remaining sediment. The water may appear dirty at first after turning the valve back on—continue flushing until it runs clear. During these steps, you can turn the drain valve on and off time and again, keeping a 1–2-minute gap to flush out more residue. The longer you flush the system with cold water, the cleaner your tank will be.
Once you complete all the above steps, turn off the drain valve, then turn on the cold-water supply back, and let the tank fill up. Once full, restore power or gas to the heater.
Don’t turn on the electric or gas until the tank is refilled.
If you neglect flushing and cleaning your hot water tank, you may experience:
Any noise coming from the hot water tank is a clear sign that it needs repair or flushing. Never ignore these warnings, as they can lead to serious issues and costly repairs in the future.
Reason behind the rumbling noise can be varied and mean different thing. Here is common issue why hot water tank make rumbling noise:
Draining your hot water tank is a simple but vital task to keep your water heater running efficiently. If you’re unsure how to do it or need professional help, Everest Drain and Plumbing is here for you. Contact us today for expert plumbing services in Toronto!. at 416-383-7378