Have you ever wondered how long it takes to drain a water heater? Have you ever experienced the frustration of waiting for your water heater to drain, only to find it at a snail’s pace? If so, this article is for you!
Here, we will explore the average time it takes to drain a water heater and provide tips on how to speed up the process to save yourself time and frustration. Let’s get started!
How long does it take to drain a water heater?
Water heaters tend to keep themselves warm, but sooner or later it’s inevitable that they need to be drained to make room for more hot water.Though drain times vary depending on the size of the water heater and type of drain, typically it takes an average of 15 to 20 minutes to completely flush a water heater.
Why Drain a Water Heater?
Water heaters accumulate build-up from minerals in the water traceable to elements such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and others that can clog the drain valve.This can prevent the water from completely draining out and over time lead to improper functioning, including sticking or malfunctioning valves as well as lower water temperature.
How to Drain a Water Heater?
As a preventative measure, water heaters should be drained regularly to flush out sediment, debris, and scale. While draining your water heater is a simple process, it is important to keep safety in mind and take the following steps:
- Turn off power to the water heater. To do this, turn off the single breaker responsible for the water heater.
- Connect a hose to the drain valve located at the bottom of the water heater.
- Open the drain valve and allow the water to drain out. Keep in mind, the water may be hot, so it is recommended to open the drain valve slowly.
- Once the water heater is empty, close the drain valve and turn on the power to the water heater.
To flush the water heater, simply turn up the temperature, allow it to heat, and then turn off the power and drain the water again. This should be done a few times for the best results.