Should I drain water heater?

Question

Im going out of town for five days and i want to shut my main water line to the house off cause of freezing weather,do i have to drain the heater or could i just not drain it and just turn off the heater (its gas by the way)?

Answer 1

If you want a livable house when you return. You must get all of the water out of the house this includes the hot water tank, the toilet tanks, the sink and toilet water traps. This creates another problem the sewer gases will come up from the sewer through the traps so you must then plug these holes, and no just putting down the toilet seat is not enough. The gases are extremely flammable and deadly. Also just shutting off the basement water main is not okay, the water has to be shut off at the street.
A lot of work is involved to get a house ready for a freeze. It is much easier to just turn the thermostat down to it's lowest setting which is usually about 50 degrees F. This will protect the house and of course you can shut off the hot water tank as you don't need that running while you are gone. shutting off the water main can also prevent any surprises form leaking pipes or other things leaving the house unattended.

Answer 2

Do not open the drain valve because it may not close completely and drip.The drain valve on a water heater is not the highest quality and the hot water ages the seals.The best plan is to remove the original valve when the heater is new and install a brass ball valve.It has a large handle and is easy to tell from the standard valve. One important thing to do is to replace the stop valve when you replace a toilet.It is easy to replace when the toilet is off but very difficult when the toilet is seated.I needed to reseat my toilet because the stop valve was frozen.I sprayed the valve with liquid wrench and heated it with a torch and it came off because I had room for leverage. If you replace the hoses on the washing machine just shut off the water main and do not touch the valves because they could drip out the handle stem and need a rebuild or replacement.Spray oil onto stems when tightening and do not leave open full stop back it closed a quarter turn. Replace plastic with metal.Water hammer from my icemaker made the supply hose twitch which broke the plastic joint at the supply and flooded my kitchen.A plastic ballcock cracked and flooded my bathroom.Both times it was in the middle of the night and I was standing there which is about the limits of good luck.Plumbers charge $100 an hour so every hour you spend under the sink is a pay raise.

Answer 3

Yes Turn off the incoming water to the tank. Drain tank and close drain. Hot water is trapped after the heater. With all water off and hot water valves(faucets) open ,remove the out going line from the tank and hook-up a compressor, now blow until no more water comes out. DON'T forget to turn tub/ shower on so that water can drain. Leave everything open. Pour R/V antifreeze in drains enough to fill the traps.
Bigbair70-----Never let them see you sweat!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Just as a precaution I would say drain the water heater so there is no chance of it freezes and busting the water hearer tank.

Answer 5

If turning the heat off> You will have to drain all lines or bursting of lines could acure>Water heater also>

Answer 6

Depends where you live and the location of the water heater!