How to Drain a Hot Water Heater Tank

A plumber working on a hot water heater

When was the last time you drained your hot water heater tank? Most homeowners won’t recall. Yet, draining a hot water heater tank is crucial for prolonging its service life.

Draining hot water tanks is a helpful preventative maintenance task that can remove sediment buildup and improve the efficiency of your hot water heater to save money. If you don’t prioritize this task yearly, your water may heat more slowly over time, and your water heater may not last as long!

How to Drain a Hot Water Heater

Now that you understand why it’s important to drain a hot water heater tank, you can learn how to do it! Fortunately, learning how to drain a hot water heater is straightforward.

You will need:

3-4-foot-long piece of garden hose
A garden hose fitting to connect to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank
A bucket (or a floor drain to direct water into)

If you have a gas water heater, switch off the gas and extinguish the pilot light before you get started. If you have an electric water heater, remove the plug from the wall or manually trip the circuit breaker.

Draining a Hot Water Heater Tank:

Before you start draining your hot water heater, it’s important to know that you don’t always have to drain the entire tank. Sediment and buildup can settle on the bottom of the tank. As a result, you can often drain a few gallons of water at a time until you’ve flushed most of the sediment out.

This approach may also reduce the risk of hot water heater damage if you turn it on without water. Refilling your hot water tank can also be much faster if you’re not filling it from empty!

Learn how to drain a hot water heater quickly - take these steps:

Turn off your hot water tank’s water valve
Attach the hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater
Open the drain valve
Open the pressure relief valve
Let the water drain into your bucket or floor drain
Turn on the water supply valve when the tank is empty
Let the water move through the tank and out the drain valve until you notice it running clear
Close the drain valve and pressure relief valves to let the tank refill
If you have an electric water heater, plug the water heater back into your power supply or flip the circuit breaker
If you have a gas water heater, turn the gas back on and light the pilot light

Note: Draining a water heater tank can be straightforward, but it’s not without risks, such as flooding your basement. If your hot water heater valves haven’t been used in a while or are made of plastic, they can be at risk of leaking. Keep an eye on your valves after you’ve closed them to ensure they’re not leaking or defective. A small drip can become a big problem!

How to Know Your Hot Water Heater Has Sediment Buildup

We don’t always think about draining a hot water heater tank to remove sediment buildup until it’s not operating at its best. You may know your hot water heater has sediment buildup if you notice the following signs:

No hot water
Water temperature fluctuations
Rumbling or popping noises from your tank
The hot water smells bad or looks rusty
You notice small leaks near the drain valve
Water takes a long time to heat up
The water temperature is less than 120 degrees from your hot water faucet

Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Professional Plumbing Services

Many homeowners feel confident learning how to drain a hot water heater tank and proceeding with this crucial annual task, but that doesn’t mean all homeowners do. Contact your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing or request a job estimate online to save time, hassle, and stress. Do you have a hot water heater emergency? We’re available 24/7 to take your call.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing is here to help whether you need to drain your hot water heater, repair it, or replace it. We’re dedicated to ensuring homeowners throughout Canada can have functioning hot water heaters and avoid cold showers!

Why Choose Mr. Rooter Plumbing?

You deserve to have access to trained service professionals you can trust. Whether you’re draining a hot water heater tank, installing a new one, or needing other plumbing services in Canada, look no further than Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

Licensed and insured service professionals
Professionalism and courtesy
Upfront pricing
Workmanship and parts guaranteed
Scheduled appointment times
Locally owned and operated

This blog is made available by Mr. Rooter LLC for educational purposes only to give the reader general information and a general understanding of the specific subject above. The blog should not be used as a substitute for a licensed plumbing professional in your state or region. Check with city and state laws before performing any household project.