by Cooper Climate Control
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Draining your water heater tank on an annual basis eliminates built-up sediment that can cause your water heater to work harder than it would like to. As with a properly maintained air conditioner, furnace, and pretty much any other appliance in your home, a water heater that receives regular TLC can continue working for you much longer than it otherwise would.
Here are five simple steps to draining the water heater in your Arizona home:
- Shut off your water heater’s power and cold water supply. You can inflict serious, possibly permanent, damage to your water heater if the power remains on while the water heater has been drained.
- Open a hot-water faucet in a sink or tub inside your home. This is vital to preventing a vacuum.
- Open up the drain valve at the bottom of your water heater, and allow the hot water to drain out. Use caution, as the water will obviously be very hot, and be careful not to overfill any buckets you use to catch the drained water. If your water heater is in your basement, your garage, or some place where the ground outdoors is easily accessible, try attaching a sturdy garden hose to the drain valve, and allow the hot water to flow outside; this can save you a lot of time and effort avoiding buckets.
- Switch the water supply back on to flush out any sediment leftover in your water heater. If there’s so much sediment that a clog has formed, switch the cold water back on to break through the clog. Once you see the water coming out clean and sediment-free, you may shut the drain valve again and remove the hose. If the water isn’t clear yet, you may have to repeat the whole process multiple times to remove excess sediment.
- Don’t forget to switch your water heater’s power supply back on! If the water is flowing from the faucet you opened earlier and is hot, you’re good to go.
So, if it’s been awhile since you last drained your water heater, or if you didn’t know you were supposed to do it to begin with, now’s a great time to get the job done. If you’re looking to replace a tired, under-performing water heater, contact us today. We offer free quotes on Valley-Metro water heater replacement services. Give us a call, or schedule yours online.
