", "Best I have ever seen. Close blue color cold water drain valve & put the cap on it like the previous setting. To create this article, 42 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Step 1. This is what the sediment in your water heater looks like. Plumber Tips – How to Flush a Water Heater. Great photography! Close the cold water service port and remove the attached hose Open the cold water shut-off valve to flush out any remaining vinegar through the second hose into your bucket for about ten minutes. If draining hot water, also be careful of the materials you use. Follow this simple process to ensure optimal tankless water heater … To flush the tank, connect a garden hose to your spigot and make sure it leads to a drain. garden hose adapter (one choice is the BrassCraft/Plumbshop No. It can also remove weird odors that may be coming from the hot water. A 90-degree turn closes and opens the ball valve, but a gate valve takes many turns. There are many things it could possibly be. Fill the water heater tank Open the cold water supply valve. If you do, the heating element will be damaged. ", "Clear, step-by-step instructions with cautions and reminders that proved very helpful. Acid is used but it is a professional task and the acid used will depend on the construction of the heater. This will keep the water heater from "pinging" as cold water re-enters it during normal use. How to Flush a Water Heater: Before you tackle any service to the water heater, turn off all of the electricity to the unit, including the breaker. Do not turn off the pilot or gas to the water heater just turn it to the lowest setting. It answered several questions I had in my mind! Be careful, as the water may be very hot. I left on the, "I checked online for step-by-step instructions on the proper procedure to drain my water heater. The drain cock may be hidden under a removable cover. This article has been viewed 1,017,474 times. Some gate valves have a "stop" before they are fully closed or open, so be sure you turn the valve past that stop. I did it this weekend and not much, "By following your directions, the whole process was very easy. female PVC trap adapter, 24-in. In some homes, it is located in the garage and in others it can be on the outside of the house. Remove the ball valve handle after you flush the water heater, especially if the water heater is located where people could walk by it and accidentally bump the handle. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. ", turned the cold water faucet. To properly maintain and clean your tankless water heater, it’s important to flush those mineral deposits at least once a year. The pressure relief valve is usually a lever that you flip into an "up" position to open it. Some Pressure relief valves may be damaged when opened and have to be replaced. ", "The step-by-step instructions that are plain and simple were most helpful. Allow the water heater to cool. Make sure water flows at a rate that wherever you are draining to can be managed. Connect a hose to the drain valve on the heater and run to a drain. Open a hot water faucet on an upper floor and the water heater drain valve. Flushing out your water heater can be a daunting task. Make sure to plan ahead if you want to recycle the water. x 1-1/2-in. A water heater flush is when a professional drains your water heater tank of all its water. If you are unsure of which fuse to remove, look for a large rectangular box with a handle/lever at the top of the panel. Thank you so much. ", "Thank you for the clear directions! Demonstrates how to flush and clean sediment out of water heaters using the Turbo Tank Cleaner tool. Quickly learn how to drain and flush a hot water heater to remove sediments and prevent corrosion. It even had videos! The breaker box or fuse box is usually a small, grey power panel (about the size of a shoebox) with a swinging door. What do I do if the water is hot, but gets cold after a few minutes? Step 6: Turn On the Drain Pipe Valve to Expel Water from the Heater. Turn on hot water faucets on all fixtures and run to remove air bubbles. Low-quality hoses and buckets may soften due to the heat, causing leaks. Regarding water heaters, one of the common questions Grove Heating & Cooling plumbers hear from homeowners is whether or not they should flush their tankless water heater and, if so, how often. Extend the hose out side and away from the structure. In some homes, it is located in t… Turn off each hot water spigot once the water resumes normal flow. If the water is cloudy or you see sand-like material on the bottom of the bucket, continue draining the tank until the water is clear (free of sediment or discoloration). Here’s how to flush a water heater… Drain the Water Heater Connect a garden hose to the hose bib near the bottom of the water heater and extend the hose to a floor drain or outside location. https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/how-to-flush-your-hot-water-heater vinyl tubing. The drain valve on most Rheem water heaters is on the lower part of the tank usually to the right of the gas valve or lower electrical panel door. Clear and to the point. Home / Uncategorized / Plumber Tips – How to Flush a Water Heater. 12-Step Tankless Water Heater Flushing Procedure Over time, a tankless water heater may accumulate mineral build up which can erode the walls inside your tank's heating chamber. Are any additives such as distilled vinegar ever used in the flushing/draining process? ", "Very well done. Build a new drain valve with a 3/4-inch full-port brass ball valve with threaded ends, a 3-inch x 3/4-inch galvanized nipple and a 3/4-inch MIP x G.H. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,017,474 times. Locate the water heater’s drain valve, typically found near the bottom of the tank. Being in my 70's, I need all, "Did it myself instead of continuing to get jerked around by plumbers and waiting almost 4 weeks for usable hot, "Brilliant! To learn how to get your heater back up and running when you're done, scroll down! A service technician attaches a hose to your tank, empties it into an approved drain, then fills the water back up. You should see small on/off switches. Before You Begin a Water Heater Flush. Glue a 1-1/2-inch PVC x 3/4-inch FIP adapter (A) onto a female PVC trap adapter (B). Open a hot water faucet. Step 3. ", "It told me how to drain my hot water heater the right way. Close the cold water shut-off valve. If the water heater is electric, turn off the power to the water heater at the circuit breaker box. Tug hard and straight out on the handle, but be careful because the metal parts may be hot. Flushing your hot water heater could be necessary as often as every few months depending on the mineral content of your local water supply. Close the upstairs hot water faucet and water heater drain valve. How to Back-Flush a Water Heater. Allow the water to finish draining and remove the second hose. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Use this guide to flush your water heater. Before you begin draining your water heater, you will first need to find the main power source and turn it off. Attach one end of the garden hose to the valve and run the other end into a colander set over the floor drain. piece of 1/2-in. Turn the main power off, but know that all the power to your house will be shut off for the time-being. Then reinstall the TPR valve and blow-off tube. Art Plumbing, AC & Electric offers a wide range of water heater maintenance and installation services. How to Extend Your Water Heater’s Lifespan, How to Install a Power-Vented Water Heater, Extend the Life of Your Water Heater by Replacing the Anode Rod, Water Heater Repair: How to Replace the TPR Valve, How to Replace a Water Heater Thermocouple, How to Repair or Replace Defective Water Heater Dip Tubes, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), How to Adjust Your Water Heater’s Temperature, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents, 1-1/4-in. It reduces the energy cost as the water heater runs efficiently. This article received 21 testimonials and 97% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. I did not have to buy a new hot water heater. Flush yours if it's a few years old or you just moved into a new home. However, instead of turning the hot water faucet, I, "My old LP Bradford White lasted about 20 years before the bottom rotted out. Gas and propane supply valves for non-electric heaters can be left on. I wonder if flushing the water heater could save money? Step 1: Let the Water Cool Turn off the water heater. The amount of sediment you observe will help you determine how frequently you need to flush that heater. Five stars. Love that it covered electric and gas heaters. After descaling your Tankless water heater, you need to reset the unit to make it usable again. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. No water will come out of the faucet; this simply helps to relieve the pressure inside the water heater tank. To learn how to get your heater back up and running when you're done, scroll down! https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/how-to-flush-a-water-heater 90% of the time, one of the elements have to be replaced (normally the lower one). It helps extend the lifespan of your water heater as well as the efficiency. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Thread a garden hose onto the drain valve on the water heater tank. Shut off the cold water valve at the top of the tank and attach a garden hose to the existing drain valve and route it to a floor drain. Complete DIY projects like a pro! Flushing a water heater is a task that any homeowner can perform. These are called "branch circuits breakers," and they provide protection against electrical overload to different circuits powering your house. (Twist-tie the handle to the valve so you don't lose it.). One sign of excessive sediment buildup is a popping or rumbling sound coming from your water heater. If you turn the power on without filling, the heating element can be damaged. Remove the vacuum hose from the TPR port and flush the tank. This helps to control the buildup of mineral deposits. If you plan to use the water for other purposes, turn the heat off ahead of time and allow the water to cool overnight before draining. Sign up for our newsletter! ", sediment came out, especially since it's 24 years old. ", "This how-to was quick, clear, easy to understand, and straight to the point. Shut off the gas or electricity to the water heater. If you don't have a garden hose, you can use a bucket to catch the water and dump it somewhere safe manually. A similar example of this is when you cover the top of a straw to retain water. By using our site, you agree to our. The water will slowly get colder as the hot water is used up and replaced by cold. If the tank is empty but you suspect sediment remains, turn the cold-water supply back on to allow more water into the unit. If you have an electric one, just turn off the breaker in the panel that controls it. ", http://www.diyadvice.com/diy/electrical/safety/turning-off-power-fuse-box/, http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-drain-a-water-heater/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=GLI, http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infwaterheater/infdrainwh.html, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Let the tank drain until sediment clogs the valve and reduces the flow. This 65 y/o female, who had never flushed a hot water heater, easily and confidently accomplished the, "This article lets me know I can do this job myself and don't need to pay someone else to do it. Sounds pointless, sure, but the real point behind draining the water is to flush out all of the sediment that accumulates at the bottom of the tank. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Approved. This thing happens in the DIY blogosphere. Step 2. It is often attached to a wall. Fill the tank partially and then drain it again. Turn the cold water valve off. % of people told us that this article helped them. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. That will not work. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. More energy will be consumed when it’s tough for your heating element to transfer heat thus higher utility bills. It took a few hours to empty the tank. If the water heater is gas, set the gas valve to “Pilot” to prevent the burners from coming on while performing the flush. If you’ve never flushed your water heater, or haven’t done it in years, you could be in for a nasty surprise—in the form of sediment build-up that can shorten the life of your heater. It is often attached to a wall. If you don't know which individual circuit breaker is powering your heater, locate a larger switch labeled "Main" above the branch circuit breakers. Steps for Draining a Water Heater . To avoid spoiling the whole place with water, cover the tube with a bathroom cloth to reduce pressure. To reduce sediment accumulation, install a whole-house filtration system. Very much appreciated. ", "This article informed me enough to troubleshoot the problem and save money on repairs!
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