Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Home Maintenance

How to empty a water heater safely

Veronica Sparks
By

Your water heater is a crucial item in your modern home. There’s little that’s as unpleasant as taking a cold shower because your water heater is malfunctioning. Caring for your water heater is important since you can both extend its life and put off costly repairs or replacements. Inspecting your water heater a couple of times a year for rust, corrosion, and leaks is a good start, but did you know you should also empty your water heater periodically? We’ll walk you through why and how to empty a water heater to extend its life as well as save you some cash and sanity.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why you need to drain your water heater

Water contains minerals and sediment that can build up in your water heater’s tank over time. This buildup can interfere with your water heater’s operation, clog up the drain, and it can also make your water heater work a lot harder than it needs to. This leads to increased energy costs and maintenance or replacement being necessary earlier than you’d planned. Good water heaters tend to last close to 10 years before needing major repairs or replacement, but mineral buildup shortens that time significantly.

Recommended Videos

How often do you need to drain it?

It’s recommended that you drain your water heater and clear out mineral buildup and sediment collection once every one or two years. Well water is known to be higher in sediment and mineral content, and some cities’ water sources are higher in content than others. If this is the case for your water, you may need to empty your water heater’s tank more often. If you notice that your water is taking longer to heat up, it’s not getting as hot as it used to, or it’s not staying hot as long as it should, chances are your water heater is overdue for a flush.

Related

How to drain a hot water heater: Step-by-step

It may sound like a daunting task, but you can actually drain your water heater in a few simple steps with minimal tools required. Just be sure to follow the instructions in your water heater’s manufacturer’s manual for optimal safety precautions. We’ll walk you through the steps with some safety guidance and some instances where you should get a professional involved.

Minerva Studio/Shutterstock

Turn off the water and power supply

You can stop water from reaching your water heater by closing the cold water supply at the top of the unit. Then you’ll shut off the power to the water heater. If it’s gas-powered, turn the gas knob to “pilot” to turn off power to the unit. If you have an electric water heater, you’ll need to visit the main panel of your circuit breaker and shut off the power supply to the unit from there. At this point, the water in your water heater will still be boiling and will need to cool for several hours before it will be safe for you to drain the water. It’s a good idea to leave the water to cool overnight.

Hook up a hose

Your water heater is equipped with a drain valve, so locate the valve and attach a hose to it. You can use a regular garden hose for this step. Point the other end of the hose to where it can be appropriately drained, such as your basement’s floor drain, large buckets, or even out into your driveway if your hose is long enough.

Turn on the tap

Find the closest hot water faucet and turn on the hot water, leaving it running during the draining process. This will allow the water to drain easily from the water heater since pressure will be released from the system.

Open up the drain valve

Now comes the draining. Locate the drain valve and open it up using any tools required according to the unit’s manual. If the water struggles to drain, sediment build-up may be clogging the drain, and it might be best to call a professional. If not, allow the tank to empty completely, watching the color and cloudiness of the water as it drains. Then turn on the cold water supply to the tank for a few seconds. This will break up any sediment and mineral buildup that’s remaining at the bottom of the tank. When the water that’s draining appears to be clear, you have got all the gunk out.

Refill your tank

Close up the drain valve and disconnect your hose before turning the cold water supply to your water heater back on. At this point, run the hot water faucet until the water runs smoothly, and then turn off the faucet.

Restart the water heater

Once the water heater has filled with water, return power to it by returning the gas valve to its original position or turning the power back on at your circuit breaker. To avoid possible damage, don’t restore power to your water heater until the tank has completely filled.

While these steps may sound like the makings of a daunting project, draining your water heater is definitely something you can do on your own. It’s only a couple of times a year and takes only a few hours of work, but you’ll be glad you did it. With some simple tools and a bit of patience, you can keep your water heater in great working condition for years to come.

Editors' Recommendations

Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks
Contributor
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
Convection vs. radiant heaters: What’s the difference?
How to choose between a convection and radiant heater
Folded and organized blankets

Whether it's a chilly fall day or a frigid winter night, it's important to keep your home comfortably warm. Thankfully, that's easy with convection and radiant heaters. These two types of portable or wall-mounted heaters work equally well, depending on what you want out of a heater. Here are the key differences between the two, including cost and energy efficiency.

Convection heater vs. radiant heater: Main differences
A convection heater warms up the air inside a room. It does this by sucking in air from the area, heating it up inside the appliance, and blowing it back out. These are great if you want a constant temperature throughout a very chilly room. It’s recommended for closed rooms without existing central heating systems.

Read more
How to install a security light with a motion sensor in 3 easy steps
how to install security lights shutterstock 1340722961

Your home is your haven, and it should be where you and your family feel the safest. Keeping your home protected with a home security system is the most comprehensive way to guard it, but if you're not ready for that financial commitment, you can always install a motion-detecting security light outside. To answer any questions you may have, we'll discuss the benefits of motion sensor lights and how to install them quickly so you and your family can sleep a little easier.

Benefits of a security light with a motion sensor
While they don't come with all the bells and whistles of a complete home security system, outdoor motion sensor security lights give you a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to keeping your home secure.
Improve security
Of course, the primary benefit of a security light with a motion sensor is that it deters would-be intruders. Not only would an intruder be caught off-guard by the sudden burst of light, but they are likely to retreat and move along since they don't want to be seen.
Promote safety
Falls happen in the driveways and walkways of homes not only when the ground is wet or iced over, but also when it's too dark to see any trip hazards. With a motion sensor light, every time you enter or exit your home, you can be confident that you'll have a light to illuminate the way, preventing slips, trips, and falls.
Convenience
Outdoor motion sensor lights also mean you don't have to remember to turn your outdoor lights on and off every time the sun goes down or a guest arrives. The light simply turns on when your movement is detected, with no effort on your part.
Budget-friendly
Since full home security systems can be pricey, motion sensor security lights present a more economical way to secure the home without breaking the bank.
Where to install motion sensor lights
For the motion sensor on your outdoor security light to be most effective, install it in a location with no obstructions, like trees or parked cars, that would otherwise prevent it from sensing movements in the area.  Ensure the sensor is approximately 10 feet above ground level and in such a position where any movement that occurs in the area will travel across the motion detector instead of moving directly toward or away from it. Cross movement is more easily detected by the sensor, so make sure it's perpendicular to any walking path.

Read more
Gas vs heat pump pool water heaters: Which one makes sense for your pool?
Want your pool heated? Here are the facts about gas vs heat pump pool water heaters
Outdoor inground pool with white two story home

You've invested a lot of time, money, and energy into making your outdoor pool a clean, enjoyable feature in your home. And there's nothing quite like cooling off in that crystal clear water on a hot day. Pool heaters for in-ground pools can be even more of an investment, but the benefits of heated water in your outdoor oasis greatly outweigh the cost. You'll have a more comfortable swimming experience, and if you live in a cooler climate, you can lengthen your swimming season significantly. With the different types of pool water heaters on the market, what's the best one for your pool and the area you live in? We'll dive into the two most popular types so you can decide which is best for you: Gas vs heat pump pool water heaters.

Gas pool water heaters
Gas pool water heaters have been around for a long time, so they're tried and true options for heating your pool. They work by pulling water in and using natural or propane gases to heat the water. Then they return the water to the pool, all warm and cozy.
Pro: Heat your pool quickly
Gas heaters are popular among pool owners because they heat the water quickly and keep the pool's temperature stable, regardless of outdoor temperature. For this reason, gas pool water heaters are ideal for pool owners in cooler climates who use their pool less frequently, particularly at the beginning or end of the summer when the outside temperature fluctuates often.
Pro: Lower initial purchase and installation cost
Compared to other, more energy-efficient pool heaters, gas pool heaters are more economical upfront. Their price tags are significantly lower, running between $1,500 and $2,500, and the cost of installation can run as low as $500. Installation is particularly low if your home already has gas energy hookups. If you want to stick to a lower budget for the first year of use, a gas pool heater is a good option.
Con: Use more energy to operate
Unfortunately, if you're looking for the greenest option in pool heaters, gas heaters are not it. They use finite natural resources to operate, so they are not the most environmentally friendly option when compared to other types of pool heaters. They also cost more to operate overall, which you'll see on your energy bills. In general, gas pumps can cost between $300-$500 per month to operate, but you can save money by turning them off when not in use since they work quickly after being turned on.
Con: Higher maintenance costs and shorter lifespan
While initial costs are low, with so many moving parts in these machines, there is a higher likelihood that maintenance will be required. This could end up being an additional cost and headache. Gas pool heaters also tend to have a shorter overall lifespan than their heat pump counterparts since maintenance costs will eventually rise to the point where purchasing a new model will be more cost-effective.

Read more