draining a hot water heater??

Question

Looks like my dinosaur of a hot water heater has finally gone to appliance heaven. How do I drain the thing so I don't end up with even more water on the floor?

Answer 1

Yes, definitely turn OFF the cold water going into the hot water heater, usually a garden-faucet type handle or a 90-degree lever (called a 'ball valve') above the water heater AND turn off the gas or electricity to it as well. Hook up a garden hose, make sure it drains out a driveway, not onto a lawn, turn on slowly the spigot at the bottom of the hot water heater...watch what comes out: if you haven't ever drained it, you'll probably see rust, tiny stones, calcified deposits, etc. Be careful, though: one water heater I drained wouldn't drain at all, so I closed the drain spigot and took the hose off, then I slowly opened the spigot, more and more...nothing. So I poked a small screwdriver into the open spigot and wiggled it around...some flakes and a few drops of water came out, then all of a sudden, the spigot shot across the room and water shot out like a water cannon until the tank was drained. Fortunately, it was an empty basement below-ground laundry room with a floor drain. The landlord confessed that he had NEVER drained the hot water in the 15 or so years since he'd had it installed. So: drain a few gallons of water out of your NEW hot water heater every year and it'll last longer.

Answer 2

Most water heaters have a hose bib (garden hose connector) on the bottom of the water heater. Connect a hose, open the valve, and drain the water! Simple! PS: I know I don't need to tell you to run the hose outside or to the bathtub if you are in an apartment or some other housing without easy access to the yard outside, but just incase, I did anyway!

Be sure you turned off the gas or electricity as well as the water going into the waterheater or you will just keep running water out the hose.

Finally, you mentioned your w/h was a dinosaur. If you don't see a hose bib and If by the off chance your water heater lasted like 20-30 years (doubtful) after you turn everything off open up any doors or access points. I remember some manufacturers hid the hose bid inside a cover on the unit.

Edit: Don't worry about running the water on your grass if you can. Don't waste the water. Let something get some use out of it. There is nothing in there that is going to hurt your lawn. Run it down the driveway, cowboydoc????

Answer 3

Unless the water heater is drained on, at least, an annual basis they tend to clog the drain faucet with calcium buildup. The reason for draining is to get rid of the calcium before it builds up to the clogging point but most people don't bother until there is a problem, by which time it is usually too late. You can try building a dam around it with old towels and rags then with a small pan under it open the drain and try running a stiff wire into the drain to unstop it. Then reinstall the hose and drain. That will sometimes work and sometimes it has to be done over and over until all the blockage is out and the heater drained.

Answer 4

Draining your water heater once a year removes sediment from the tank that can cause it to work harder and cost more to use.

a.)Begin by turning off the power or gas to the water heater.
b.)Next, turn the cold water supply valve off that allows water to flow into the heater.
c.)Hook a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and run it outside on the ground.
d.)Open the drain valve where the hose is attached.
e.)Open the pressure relief valve on top of the tank by pulling up on it.
f.)Allow the water in the tank to drain out.
g.) When the tank is empty, open the cold water valve for a few minutes to flush out the last remaining sediment.
h.)Close the drain valve and pressure relief valve and allow the tank to fill back up.
i.)Relight the pilot to the heater if gas, and turn it on.
j.)If electric, flip the breaker to restore power to the water heater.


https://www.electrikals.com/products/rc-home-appliances/water-heaters?cnid=e767e5db4e4c7d52014e4d4c088a02ae&cid=10000&page=1&pagesize=20

Answer 5

All water heaters I have seen, have a spigot near the bottom of the tank by the gas input. You could hook up a hose, or put large containers under the spigot to drain.

Answer 6

If the hose bib on the bottom won't drain it's because it's full of solidified sand, take the bib off with a pipe wrench and use a cordless drill with a half inch metal drill and drill it out. A cement drill would work fine. You might have to go way in. Don't worry about breaking anything, and make sure your above the drain.

Answer 7

Water heaters should be flushed every one to three years depending on the model and water source. This helps to control the buildup of mineral deposits. Your water heater will operate more efficiently and this will usually extend the life of the heater. Use this guide to flush your water heater.

Answer 8

You should be able to attach a hose to it and then open the valve to drain it.