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As a homeowner, you may tend to take your water heater for granted, not thinking much about it until it stops working one day when you’re taking a shower. One way to avoid unexpected issues with your water heater is to maintain it regularly. This includes draining it when needed. Water heating and air conditioner service expert Mechanical Technologies explains what you need to know below:
Most water heaters have a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years. Some are designed to be drained every so often because of sediment that builds up in the bottom. This is usually comprised of minerals and other debris, and if it isn’t drained properly, it can lead to clogs and cause your water heater to malfunction.
If you’re already noticing unusual signs, you need to drain your water heater. For instance, you might be running out of hot water faster than normal. This means the sediment has already built up too much and you risk burning the heating component in the water tank if you don’t drain it. Another sign is rusty-looking water coming out of the shower. This occurs when the anode rod is already deteriorating, which means you may need to consider having it replaced by a trusted water heating and AC repair technician as soon as possible.
First, look for a water pipe and shutoff valve going into the water heater and shut it off. Then you need to turn off your water heater to avoid potentially burning out the heating elements while draining it. You can turn it off from your home’s electrical panel if you have an electric water heater installed. If it’s a gas water heater, set the thermostat to ”pilot” and shut off the gas supply to the heater.
After allowing some time for the water to cool down, you can finally proceed to drain the heater. Start by placing one end of a garden hose onto the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater and place the other end outside or into a floor drain. You may need to turn on a hot water tap to alleviate the pressure and help it drain more quickly.
Once you open the drain valve, the water will begin to flow out of the tank. Be patient, as it may take some time to drain if the tank is full or there’s a lot of sediment. Later, you may need to turn the cold water back on to help get rid of any remaining sediment on the bottom of the tank. Repeat this step until the water runs clear so that you can refill your tank with clean water again.
As one of the best water heater installation and air duct cleaning companies in the area, Mechanical Technologies is a name you can count on. Contact us at (915) 544-1550, or fill out our convenient online contact form.
