How to Drain Your Water Heater, and Why?

All water heaters need to be drained at some point. Water heater and plumbing repair should be reserved for St. Michael professionals, as most homeowners do not have considerable knowledge, expertise, or tools required for plumbing. Draining is a simple process that requires nothing but a hose at its most basic form.

Preparing for a Water Heater Draining

Both the water supply and the breaker in your St. Michael home need to be turned off prior to draining the water from the reservoir.

First turn the cold water valve at the top of the water heater off completely, then turn the water heater's breaker off in the breaker box.

Some plumbers prefer to turn the entire breaker off for safety, which is also recommended for all plumbing-inexperienced homeowners. Risking electrocution to finish faster is simply not worth it.

Connect and Lay Out the Drainage Hose

Having somewhere to drain the contents of the water heater out before opening the drainage valve is paramount to success. Any hill or entirely flat surface more than one hundred feet from the home should suffice, making sure to avoid dips and other low points as dumping points.

Connecting several hoses is sometimes required to properly drain the water heater, especially if it's tucked away in a room away from any doors or windows.

Connect one end of the hose to the water heater's drain valve, and roll the hose outside to suitable draining point. Open a nearby faucet's hot water line to better drain the water heater and remove air pockets from the plumbing.

Finishing the Job

Place a towel or pan to catch any water that might drip when disconnecting the hose from the drain valve. Collecting the water before it touches the floor saves precious time and safeguards permanent floor damage.

Roll the hose outside, careful as to not let any water drip to the floor. Flip the breaker back on, but leave the water heater in this condition. Every water heater should be drained once every two years to promote energy efficiency and water cleanliness. If seeking repair or replacement, contact the local plumber whenever drainage is complete.

For quality services in your St. Michael, MN home, call B & D Plumbing, Heating & A/C at (763) 497-2290 today!