A typical hot water heater is designed to last for up to ten years, and if you take care of it, the heater will last as far into that life span as possible. The biggest problem that hot water heaters have is the sediment that builds up in the bottom of the tank, so you need to take some time to flush the heater at least once a year to get that sediment out. Because of the high cost of water heaters, this is not an insubstantial savings. So, how do you drain a water heater?
The Tools
Before you start any job around the home you need to be sure that you have the right tools on hand. In this case you are going to need a rubber garden hose, some gloves and an adjustable wrench. The hose needs to be long enough that it can reach an area of the yard where you do not care about damage to the grass, or so that it can reach the street. As you drain the water, it will be extremely hot, so you do not want it to go someplace where it can hurt people or animals. Finally, before you start draining the water be sure that the hose does not have any holes, or hot water will go everywhere.
The Drain
On your hot water heater you need to look for the drain valve at the bottom of the unit. It is in a slightly different place from water heater to water heater, but you should be able to find it because it is shaped to fit your garden hose. Attach the hose to the drain valve, and make sure that it is very tight. You might want to use the wrench to make it extra tight, but be careful that you do not damage the drain or the hose connector. The last thing you want is scalding water spraying all over the room. When the hose is connected slowly open the drain valve and let the water flow through.
The Flush
It is vital that the cold water coming into the heater stays on, as that is what will flush the sediment out of the heater. The water coming out of the heater will look dirty, but that is natural. As long as you do the work at least on an annual basis, the entire flushing of the unit should only take a few seconds, and when you see the water start running clear in the hose you know that the job is finished. Shut off the drain valve, disconnect the hose and use the gloves to roll it up, since it will still be hot.
The hot water heater is an appliance that you rarely think about until the hot water is not working. As a homeowner, if you take care of the hot water heater and do the maintenance, you may not have to call an Alexandria VA plumber that homeowners have to call when their water heater breaks.
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