Electric Water Heater Maintenance: Draining the Tank
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- Опубликовано: 13 авг 2015
- This video from Sears PartsDirect shows how to correctly maintain your electric water heater by regularly draining the tank to flush out sediment. Every year, you should empty all the water from your water heater. This will prevent a buildup of mineral sediment in the bottom of your tank that could reduce the water heater's effectiveness and possibly damage the heating elements. This video will show you how safely drain the tank so you can keep your water heater running efficiently and correctly.
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Transcript:
Hi, this is Wayne from Sears PartsDirect. Today we're going to show you an often-overlooked maintenance tip on a water heater. We’re going to drain the sediment from the tank. Overtime sediment can build up, eroding the tank bottom and damaging the lower heating element. Sediment can also interfere with the elements heating up effectively. Flushing the sediment from your water heater will increase its efficiency and longevity and it’s easy to do. First, shut off the electrical power to your water heater. This is extremely important because the heating elements can break if they turn on when the tank is empty. Next, connect a garden hose to your water heater drain valve. Use a heavy-duty hose that won't be damaged by hot water. Run the open end of the garden hose out into your yard to a safe spot where you can drain the hot water. Fully open the drain valve. Water will start to flow out of the garden hose, flushing out the sediment. After a couple of minutes, turn on the hot water in the kitchen. This will create an air gap in the pipes that will force the remaining sediment out of the water heater, after we turn off the water supply later. Turn off the water supply valve above the water heater. This will also stop the flow in the kitchen sink, but be sure to leave the hot water valve open. The water and sediment will now start draining faster, because gravity and pressure are helping us out. You can open the T&P valve if the water’s not draining fast enough. If the hose get clogged during the draining process, you can use a shop vac to unclog it. Be careful, that water is hot! Once the water stops draining, you can turn the water back on briefly to give the tank another quick flush and remove any remaining sediment. Then close the water supply valve again. Once the tank has drained completely, close the drain valve and disconnect the water hose. Wear gloves to protect your hands. The hose fitting will be hot. Be sure to close the T&P valve when you start to refill the tank. Open the water supply cut-off valve for the water heater and refill the tank. As the water heater fills up, you’ll start hearing your open faucet in the kitchen spittin’ and sputterin’ as air is purged from the water heater. Don’t turn the faucet off, until a full stream of water starts to flow again. Now, you know that all the air is out of your water heater and the tank is full of water. Restore electrical power to the water heater and you're done. Make sure it’s full before you turn the power back on. Repeat this procedure every year to keep your water heater working efficiently. Hey, thanks for watching. I hope this video has helped you out today. Be sure to check out our other videos here on the RUclips channel and don’t forget to subscribe. 
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![My Water Heater Won't Drain [Fix It With 3 Easy Steps]](/img/1.gif)
Thank you for giving a 2 minute video that explains everything clearly. Much better than a 10 minute video with unnecessary info and time.
He speaks well. Easy to listen too. Good info as well.
I want to thank you for the short, to the point and easy to follow video. Great job, Dan.
Great advice. I have watched it every year for the last 5, just before I perform the task. One suggestion: If you drain your tank onto the lawn, as Wayne did, turn off the power a few hours BEFORE your begin. That water may be hot enough to kill the grass. I learned the hard way.
The BEST one I’ve watched. Prepared, clear, thorough step by step. Thank you!!
Thank you for giving us a short quick easy video. Everyone else is 20 minutes of the background history of why they moved in the house they're in and their uncle's sick and all this other BS
Best video out of the 10 that I’ve watched.
Same here
)³
Loo
we're 1st time home owners in a new build and wanted to thank you for showing us detailed steps of how to perform this task. It went smoothly and your instructions were perfect. Thanks!
Wayne you are one of the good ones, Sears should give you a raise
Thank you sooo much. Short and sweet, much appreciated!! 👍
This was the most clear & concise video that I found on You Tube w/ regard to flushing or emptying a hot water tank. Appreciate it.
Wow this was as easy as explained in the video - highly recommend for beginners. Thank you
Thanks for being short, sweet and to the point. No extra information that I did not need.
Thank you sooooo much Wayne!! Everyone I spoke with could not remember the correct order for all the valves - you saved me and I appreciate it so much. You've also helped me in the past with my riding lawn mower's solenoid switch and the starter - you're the BEST!
Thanks for your comments. We're glad to hear that we've been able to help you out.
Well this was the most informative video on this topic. Other videos didn't explain thoroughly and were 10 minutes long. 👏👏
Finally, a good video with easy to follow instructions.
I did this once before when I moved into my home around the same time of this upload. So barely remember how to do this procedure in its proper order. LoL
Since I started to see the white "crack residue" again, I decided to flush it the right way, following these simple steps! (literally 30 minutes ago).Thanks for this upload!
Gotta send huge thanks for making this all so simple!
I tried this process without really understanding each step and based on some other instructions I had found and ended up with the relief valve leaking. I followed this video after and it resolved everything, and got our hot water running clear again. Thank you!
Really good explanation. Thanks for a simple and clear video of what to do.
Super, professional video. Thank you for sharing this on RUclips.
You are my go to guy. Easy "peasy" and a vital step for water heater maintenance.
Thank you.
Thank you sir, for the step by step, easy to follow instructions. God bless
easy to follow instructions and worked great! Thanks
Thank you! Very simple and helpful!
Best explanation I’ve heard yet, thanks! 👍👍
Great video Wayne! I agree with others that Sears should give you a raise!
Thank you! Finally a video that explains what to do at each step and why. This is the third video I tried, the others are impossible to follow.
Thanks for the feedback. We're glad to hear that you liked our video.
good video straight to the point no a lot of confusion explanations thank you !!!
Thank you so much for this instructional video! I was able to follow each step and complete after the process having to replace the heating element. 😊
I needed this vid to show me how to drain it so I can change the elements. Thank you.
Thank you, the best video for draining the tank…
Very clear and to the point video. I've drained the tank before but it's a good idea to get refresher before doing it again. Thank you.
Awesome video! Short and simple. Fantastic job!!!
thanks for such a quick and clear presentation
Great video!! Right to the point and easy to understand. THNKAS A BUNCH!!
This is the best video. Thanks also for the transcripts.
One of the best DIY videos I've ever seen... Thanks!! \w/
Your video did help me out today. Thanks bud
Great video, I do this every spring!
Very helpful, thank you.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! Did before; but had forgotten.
Great video! Thank you
I appreciate the help Wayne, thank you
I like this guy. Good job!
Simple and easy thanks to you!!
Great video simple explained thanks!
Best, most helpful video for this job!
Love those Craftsman gloves - great video!
Yes, I really enjoyed and learned a lot of information with your video and will perform it with my own house water heater. Thank you so much and more power to you. Romano C.
You, sir, are an absolute 🐐
Thanks mate from Australia
Exactly to the point Thanks
Thanx--just got 'er done!
Yess thank you!!!! Info is 100%
Thank You!
that "esprinkler" fuse lmao!
Thanks!
Thank you sir
Thank you
hell yea thanks wayne
Thanks so much, Wayne! Your tips really helped me out!! I was having a real nightmare of a time with this!! 😱 🦇 🎃
Very nice
I am moving my water heater from one place to another it's only about a year old I hope this works in removal as I don't want to buy another water heater wish me luck lol I love DIY!
Thank you Jesus!!
So just to clarify, the way to know when the tank is filled up again with water is when you see a steady stream from the kitchen faucet?
Not sure if you still answer questions but how can you tell the WH is full?
I have a drain valve next to where I would install the hose. If you have one too, open the valve using a large flat head screwdriver in order for the water to drain. The Water Heater in this video doesn’t appear to have a drain valve. Still a great video!
Great video! I know it’s 5 years later but how are you doing? My family likes you
It's hard to believe that we made that video 5 years ago. Time flies when you're having fun. We're doing well. Thanks for asking. We're still making videos. Hope you're doing well. Thanks for commenting.
If it's knocking really hard, like in the pipes, is this what I need to do? Also how do you shut off three electricity to it? Thanks in advance for any answers anyone may have.
Thank you for this video. It’s just what I needed. Do you have any recommendations for cleaning it as well? Should I use CLR, bleach or vinegar? If I do, do I need to refill the tank with the valves opened orv closed? Thank you
We don't recommend adding any chemicals to the tank. You recommend that you flush the tank with plain water.
how can you tell if the tank is full?
Great video! My heater is 8yrs old and I have never done this because of lack of knowledge on water heaters. Is it too late for me or would a good flush still help and if so do I need to drain the heater completely or just a few gallons
We don't recommend draining the tank because sediment buildup likely will clog the tank drain-preventing water from flowing out of the tank.
What do you recommend when it is not draining and checked and its full of lime build up? Do you have video recommendation for how to flush and change elements when extreme lime build occurs?
You may be able to get the water to drain by stepping on the drain hose to force some water back into the tank and disrupt the deposits so water drains out of the tank. If you can get the water to drain out of the tank (even if the water drains slowly), then you can remove the drain valve and flush lime deposits out of the tank. Here’s a video that shows how to remove the drain valve: www.searspartsdirect.com/repair-guide/water-heater/how_to_replace_the_drain_valve_on_an_electric_or_gas_water_heater.html.
If you can’t get the water to drain from the tank by stepping on the drain hose, you can let the tank water cool to room temperature and position a container under the drain valve to catch water. Loosen the drain valve until water begins to drain into the container. Tighten the drain valve to stop water flow and empty the container when it’s full. Empty water from the tank, then flush the lime deposits out of the tank.
To flush lime deposits out of the tank, place a container under the drain valve opening in the tank. Remove the lower heating element (with power still disconnected from the water heater). Here’s a video that shows how to remove the lower heating element: www.searspartsdirect.com/repair-guide/water-heater/how_to_replace_the_heating_element_in_an_electric_water_heater.html. Shoot some water through the lower heating element hole using a garden hose to flush out tank lime deposits. Stop flushing when your container fills up. Empty the container and reposition the container under the drain valve opening. Continue flushing the tank as needed to remove all lime deposits from the tank. Reinstall the lower heating element and the drain valve. Continue with the steps shown in the “Draining the Tank” video to refill the water heater tank and restore the hot water supply to your home.
What do you do if your water heater is downstairs in basement ? Water can't flow up an the outside stairs and outside. What do I do then. In this video the heater was in the garage and looked easy. ANy help anyone
How to know when water heater is full again??
How do I know when the tank is completely full so I can power up? My valve is different. It has a slot to turn with a screw driver. I turned several times and finally figured out that I just needed to line the slot up with the flow of water to get max drain. My tank has an upper and lower heat element. I needed to turn two 30 amp breakers before the power was completely off. Fortunately I used an AC detector at the wire entrance or I wouldn't have shut off the second 30 amp breaker.
When a steady stream of water starts to flow from the hot water faucet you left open when refilling the tank, you know the tank is full.
I have problems with a old water heater that won’t drain, it was draining about 6 hours. I figured it was done and water was gushing out of the bottom element fitting, any tips for a clogged drain valve? I’m working on it again today hopefully it goes better then last time lol
There isn't much you can do to unclog the drain path through the drain valve if it's clogged with sediment. You can continue to drain water out of the bottom element opening if necessary. You'll need to vacuum up the water with a wet/dry shop vac. Make sure that you have power disconnected when draining the tank.
How do you know when the tank is full?
Yes Wayne, just slow down a bit. I had to go back several times with pen and pad . Very informative but Wayne baby " are you on the clock"??
😂😂me too.
Why did 49 people not like this video? Can’t make everyone happy....
Can I use my sump pump to drain the water?
You can drain the water into the sump pit and then pump out the pit using your sump pump.
Had are water heater for only 3 years but with are town hot water always being rusty are water heater messed up today smfh
Chuck yeah
Only question I have is when do you know the water heater is full again?
Apparently when you see a full steady stream from the faucet. That would be an indicator. I wish they would make a small see through view somewhere in the tank to see when it's full.
Very good video, I have a question if someone could answer please, so I have an electrical heater also and I noticed that I have two Temperature settings to the Core and they differ in Temp, the top is lower than the bottom one. Is this the correct setting set by the service Technician or should they both be set for the same Temperature? The top reads 120 F and the bottom reads 125 F. No where in the manual does it show what they should be set for. thanks
We recommend that you set the thermostats at the same temperature. Setting the thermostats at the same temperature setting heats the tank water more efficiently because neither thermostat turns on its heating element when the water in the tank is fully heated to the set temperature.
My parents think I'm a plumber now, thanks for giving my family more child labor -_-
How do you know when its full??
When a full stream of water begins flowing from the faucet.
How do you know water heater is back full?
The procedure for refilling the tank begins at 1:52 in the video. When water streams normally from the kitchen faucet, you'll know that the tank is full.
I tried this. Drained it from the bottom, would only come out cold. Heater works fine though
How do I know when the tank is full again?
You'll see a steady flow of water from the water faucet when the tank is full.
Every second year, check the anode rod's condition when the tank is empty.
How?
👍
Why does mine come out so slow??
You need to release the valve pressure but don’t forget to seal it back when refilling up the water.
@@giovannylopez600 thanks got it :)
I have a problem, no water is coming out of the drain valve
ever figure it out? we have the same problem
@@j.c.v.rabbitry nope, there's no air release valve on top of either, so no clue on what to do?
It’s usually because you did not release the valve pressure. You need air to enter so the water can escape.
This guy is very knowledgeable, but he need to talk a bit slower. Maybe they don't give him enough time for videos
why do you talk so fast............?
Pause the video, silly woman.
understood every word and excellent video. Fast talking no problem for a Newfoundlander.
Hot water will kill your grass. Dumb to run it in the yard like he did.
Bad video. Don't fully open the drain valve!!!!!! I fully opened mine and it fell out. I had dozens of gallons of water in my garage floor. if you open some drain valves that look like knobs, it may completely come apart and you'll go nuts trying to put in back in with all the water pressure going against you as the water goes out. .
how do you know if the water heater is full again in order to turn the power back on? and does the gas need to be shut off?