How do I drain my home's water heater tank?

So easy a homeowner could do it!

If you have a conventional tank type water heater, chances are you have never flushed the tank. Most people don’t probably because they thing it is difficult. Flushing your water heater removes build-up of sediment, which shortens the life span and efficiency of the unit. To drain the unit, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you can’t locate the manual, here are the steps for draining most water heaters:

1. For gas units, turn the unit’s thermostat to the pilot position so you don't have to relight the pilot.  For electric units turn the unit off at the main electrical disconnect. This is either in the water heater closet or at the main or sub electrical panel.
2. Shut off the cold water supply. This is usually a valve with a handle located on the water line above the tank.
3. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve (which looks somewhat like an water faucet) at the bottom front of the water heater. Be sure this hose terminates at the outside of the house.
4. Open a hot-water faucet anywhere in the house to prevent a vacuum from forming in the lines preventing water from draining from the tank.
5. Open the drain valve and check the color of the water coming out of the end of the hose. At first the water may be orange, brown or otherwise dirty. BE CAREFUL, the water will be very hot.
   
6. Once the water coming out of the end of the hose looks clear, shut off the drain valve, turn off the hot water faucet in the house, and turn the main cold water supply line back on.
7. For gas units you can set the thermostat back to the desired heat, and for electric units you can turn the power back on.

The average residential water heater tank holds 40 gallons. In most cases you don’t need to drain the entire tank, just a few gallons. Make sure the hose terminates to the outside of the house or you will have a mess to clean up.


Frequency: Annually
Difficulty: Easy
Tools Required: Garden hose
Completion Time: One hour

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