How do you drain a water heater?

Question

I was given these steps. Please confirm whether or not its correct.

1) Turn power off.
2) Turn water off at valve above water heater.
3) Hook hose to drain.
4) Turn drain valve on.
5) Turn faucets on "hot."
6) Wait until there's no water draining out of hose (about 20 minutes)
7) Close valve on tank and unhook hose
8) Turn water back on
9) Wait at faucets; air will be spitting out.
10) Turn faucets off after it runs water about 30 seconds.
11) Turn power on.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Thats pretty much it except I would add one more step. After draining, open the inlet valve (water supply) for about two minutes and look at the water coming out of the hose. If it is clear, go back to the plan. If things are still coming out of the hose, keeping adding water to flush out the bottom of the tank. Good luck.

Answer 2

This sounds right to me. The most crucial step is the one where you make sure the faucets are open BEFORE you turn the water back on, so that the air pushing out of the empty water heater can go right out the faucets. Oh, and in my experience, it took a LOT longer than 20 minutes to drain my old heater...

Answer 3

If you are intending to flush out the hot water heater tank, then follow the steps through step 6. Then open the incoming water valve for a few minutes and repeat steps 2 - 6. If the outflow is murky or chunky from lime, you may need to flush the tank again.

If the water is clear, then continue on with the steps you have outlined.

Answer 4

Sounds good. Make sure you do Step #11 in that place. DO NOT TURN THE POWER ON UNTIL THE TANK IS FULL! If you don't you will burn up the element immediately.

Answer 5

That is pretty much it. My step 6 always took longer than 20 minutes though.