Difference between revisions of "Flush a Water Heater"
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Water heaters should be flushed every one to three years depending on the model and water source. This helps to control the buildup of mineral deposits. Your water heater will operate more efficiently and this will usually extend the life of the heater. Use this guide to flush your water heater. | Water heaters should be flushed every one to three years depending on the model and water source. This helps to control the buildup of mineral deposits. Your water heater will operate more efficiently and this will usually extend the life of the heater. Use this guide to flush your water heater. | ||
| − | [[Category:Water Heating Systems]] | + | [[Category: Water Heating Systems]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Flushing the Heater === | === Flushing the Heater === | ||
#[[Find the Fuse Box or Circuit Breaker Box|Locate the breaker/fuse box]] for an electrical heater or the thermostat for a gas heater. Before you begin draining your water heater, you will first need to find the main power source and turn it off. | #[[Find the Fuse Box or Circuit Breaker Box|Locate the breaker/fuse box]] for an electrical heater or the thermostat for a gas heater. Before you begin draining your water heater, you will first need to find the main power source and turn it off. | ||
| − | #* The breaker box or fuse box is usually a small, grey power panel (about the size of a shoebox) with a swinging door. It is often attached to a wall. In some homes, it is located in the garage and in others it can be on the outside of the house.<ref>https://www.homeminders.com/Articles/HomemindersArticle/tabid/77/ArticleId/472/Default.aspx</ref> | + | #* The breaker box or fuse box is usually a small, grey power panel (about the size of a shoebox) with a swinging door. It is often attached to a wall. In some homes, it is located in the garage and in others it can be on the outside of the house.<ref name="rf16476">https://www.homeminders.com/Articles/HomemindersArticle/tabid/77/ArticleId/472/Default.aspx</ref> |
#* The thermostat for the gas heater is usually a red knob located on the outside of the heater where the gas pipe enters the unit. The knob should have 3 settings: "Pilot," "On," and "Off." | #* The thermostat for the gas heater is usually a red knob located on the outside of the heater where the gas pipe enters the unit. The knob should have 3 settings: "Pilot," "On," and "Off." | ||
#Disable the circuit or fuse that powers the electrical water heater, or turn the thermostat to "Pilot" on a gas heater. This will cease power to the water heater or the entire house, depending on which circuit/fuse you disable. | #Disable the circuit or fuse that powers the electrical water heater, or turn the thermostat to "Pilot" on a gas heater. This will cease power to the water heater or the entire house, depending on which circuit/fuse you disable. | ||
#* You should see small on/off switches. These are called "branch circuits breakers," and they provide protection against electrical overload to different circuits powering your house. If you know which branch circuit breaker is powering your water heater, turn this individual switch off. | #* You should see small on/off switches. These are called "branch circuits breakers," and they provide protection against electrical overload to different circuits powering your house. If you know which branch circuit breaker is powering your water heater, turn this individual switch off. | ||
#* If you don't know which individual circuit breaker is powering your heater, locate a larger switch labeled "Main" above the branch circuit breakers. The main circuit breaker should have higher amperage values like 100, 150, or 200. The branch circuit breakers will have lower numbers from 10-60amps. Turn the main power off, but know that all the power to your house will be shut off for the time-being. | #* If you don't know which individual circuit breaker is powering your heater, locate a larger switch labeled "Main" above the branch circuit breakers. The main circuit breaker should have higher amperage values like 100, 150, or 200. The branch circuit breakers will have lower numbers from 10-60amps. Turn the main power off, but know that all the power to your house will be shut off for the time-being. | ||
| − | #* If you open the box and find round, glass topped shapes or small tubes with metal ends, you have a fuse box, not a breaker box.<ref | + | #* If you open the box and find round, glass topped shapes or small tubes with metal ends, you have a fuse box, not a breaker box.<ref name="rf16476" /> In this case, you will need to unscrew and remove the fuse that is powering your water heater (similar to turning off the branch circuit breaker). If you are unsure of which fuse to remove, look for a large rectangular box with a handle/lever at the top of the panel. Tug hard and straight out on the handle, but be careful because the metal parts may be hot.<ref name="rf16477">http://www.diyadvice.com/diy/electrical/safety/turning-off-power-fuse-box/</ref> The power to your entire house has now been shut off. |
#[[Turn off Your Water Supply Quick and Easy|Turn off your cold water supply]] by rotating the water shut-off valve clockwise. The shut-off valve should be located at or near the cold water inlet pipe at the top of the tank. | #[[Turn off Your Water Supply Quick and Easy|Turn off your cold water supply]] by rotating the water shut-off valve clockwise. The shut-off valve should be located at or near the cold water inlet pipe at the top of the tank. | ||
#* There are two types of valves in use: ball valves and gate valves. A 90-degree turn closes and opens the ball valve, but a gate valve takes many turns. | #* There are two types of valves in use: ball valves and gate valves. A 90-degree turn closes and opens the ball valve, but a gate valve takes many turns. | ||
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#*For natural gas and propane (LP) water heaters, make a note of what the temperature setting is and then turn the thermostat, the large red dial on the front of the control, to the lowest setting, or "Pilot." | #*For natural gas and propane (LP) water heaters, make a note of what the temperature setting is and then turn the thermostat, the large red dial on the front of the control, to the lowest setting, or "Pilot." | ||
#*If you plan to use the water for other purposes, turn the heat off ahead of time and allow the water to cool overnight before draining. | #*If you plan to use the water for other purposes, turn the heat off ahead of time and allow the water to cool overnight before draining. | ||
| − | #Open the hot water faucet in your sink or tub. This will prevent a vacuum from forming in the lines keeping water trapped. <ref>http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-drain-a-water-heater/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=GLI</ref | + | #Open the hot water faucet in your sink or tub. This will prevent a vacuum from forming in the lines keeping water trapped. <ref name="rf16478">http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-drain-a-water-heater/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=GLI</ref> |
#* A similar example of this is when you cover the top of a straw to retain water. | #* A similar example of this is when you cover the top of a straw to retain water. | ||
#Attach a garden hose to the drain cock, or valve, located at the bottom of the heater. The drain cock usually looks like a regular hose bib, such as a garden faucet, or a round dial with a threaded hole in the middle. | #Attach a garden hose to the drain cock, or valve, located at the bottom of the heater. The drain cock usually looks like a regular hose bib, such as a garden faucet, or a round dial with a threaded hole in the middle. | ||
#*The drain cock may be hidden under a removable cover. | #*The drain cock may be hidden under a removable cover. | ||
| − | #* If you don't have a garden hose, you can use a bucket to catch the water and dump it somewhere safe manually. Don't overfill the bucket since the hot water can soften cheaper plastic buckets or can burn you.<ref>http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infwaterheater/infdrainwh.html</ref> | + | #* If you don't have a garden hose, you can use a bucket to catch the water and dump it somewhere safe manually. Don't overfill the bucket since the hot water can soften cheaper plastic buckets or can burn you.<ref name="rf16479">http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infwaterheater/infdrainwh.html</ref> |
#Extend the garden hose to a place where the water from the heater can safely discharge. Either run your hose to an outside drain or to your driveway. | #Extend the garden hose to a place where the water from the heater can safely discharge. Either run your hose to an outside drain or to your driveway. | ||
#* If you allowed the water to cool overnight, you can drain it into buckets and save the water to use on the yard or for other purposes. Don't use it for delicate plants, though, or to wash your car, given the presence of sediment. | #* If you allowed the water to cool overnight, you can drain it into buckets and save the water to use on the yard or for other purposes. Don't use it for delicate plants, though, or to wash your car, given the presence of sediment. | ||
