Homeowners are often unaware of how many problems they can prevent by draining their water heater once a year. It is essential because an electric water heater can collect minerals from the water supply. Minerals will eventually erode the water heater internally and decrease its efficiency. For extending your electric water heater life, it is best to drain it every year.
An electric water heater can lose its efficiency over time. There are several ways that homeowners can drain an electric water heater. Here are the five best ways to do it:
Five Best Ways To Drain Electric Water Heater
Switch off the Electric Water Heater
The first way of draining an electric water heater is to turn off the power to the heater. To do this, switch the power off and disconnect the electrical wiring. If the electric water heater is under the ground, connect the hose to the exterior of your home. Once the valve is closed, wait for several hours till the water cools down. If the process takes longer than expected, you can try taking long hot showers before draining the unit.
Opening The Drain Valve
The most common way of draining an electric water heater is by opening the drain valve. To do this, turn off the main circuit breaker and turn on the cold-water valve. Leave the cold-water faucet running for at least twenty-four hours, but don’t let the water stop flowing. If you can’t get the sediment out of the drain valve, you can use a hose.
With Help of Garden Hose
Another effective Way of draining an electric water heater is to turn off the electric supply using a garden hose. It will drain your electric water heater effectively. If the water heater is below the ground, use two hoses for this process. Wait for several hours before starting this process.
Remove The Sediment
If your electric water heater is not draining precisely, one of the best ways to remove the sediment is to open the hot water faucets. Using a wet/dry vacuum can help remove the sediment from the drain valve. Before using a wet/dry vacuum, turn off the water supply valve and check the drainage for leaks. After you’ve drained your electric heating unit, you can refill it with fresh, hot water.
Call a Professional
If you are unaware of how to drain an electric water heater, a professional can help you. Experts can perform this process without disconnecting the tank from the electricity. Within a few easy steps, professionals can drain your electric water heater easily. If the water supply is not working, you may need to repeat the process. If you are unsure, call a professional.
Causes Of An Electric Water Heater That Won’t Drain
There are many potential causes for this issue. It can be caused by
- Sediment build-up in the tank
- A clogged drain pipe.
- Malfunctioned pressure relief valve.
- It can also be due to an overfilled tank.
- The use of an insufficient water heater element.
This list does not include all of the possibilities, but it does provide a good starting point for troubleshooting the issue on your own.
Why Do You Need To Drain Your Electric Water Heater?
The main reason for draining your electric water heater is to clean it and increase its efficiency. If there is sediment on the bottom, it will displace the water. The water will overheat the tank, which can cause hot spots. It will wear down the steel and create a rusty finish. Fortunately, a drain will remove all this debris and prevent rusting. It’s important to note that you should always drain your unit before you turn it on again.
When Is The Right Time To Drain Your Electric Water Heater?
You might be wondering, what is the right time to Drain Your Electric Water heater? The tank fills with water throughout the year, but it is always better to drain the tank at least once a year to remove sediment and prevent damage to the tank and pipes. When you are ready to drain the tank, turn off the water supply valve and tilt the heater to remove the remaining water. It will keep your electric water clean and repeat the process at least once a year.
What Happens If Your Electric Water Heater Won’t Drain?
If the Electric water heater won’t drain, the most likely cause is a clog. You can clear the clog by calling a plumber. You can also try closing your faucets to prevent water from pouring out. A plumber will remove the sediment and clean the drain. For water heater repair, you can call the plumber from L&S Turnkey.
The Benefits Of Draining An Electric Water Heater Every Year
There are several benefits of draining a water heater every year. By performing the maintenance regularly you can ensure that your water heater functions properly and lasts for years to come.
Here are Two Main reasons you should drain your water heater every year.
Clean Water
The first benefit is that it will keep the water cleaner, so you will have cleaner water to drink and bathe.
The sediment reduces the efficiency of the water heater and increases energy costs. By draining your water heater every year, you’ll have cleaner water that will last longer. It can also increase the lifespan of your water heater, besides providing clean water.
Save Your Money
One of the Biggest benefits of draining a water heater every year is that it will save you money. Just turn down the thermostat, and you can save just one degree up to eight percent on your electric bill. You can also save money by removing sediment, which will increase water heating capability and it reduces the amount of cracking noises that can occur if you do not drain it regularly. Additionally, you’ll reduce the amount of energy used to run your water heater, which will save you money in the long run.
How To Extend A Water Heaters Life
One way to extend the life of your water heater is to keep it clean: The water heaters, which are in poor condition, don’t last as long as cleaned ones. Thereby ensure you clean your water heater with professional help. Regular water heater repair services from L&S Turnkey can keep your heaters in perfect condition in Temecula.
Why Should You Choose Professional Water Heater Repair Service Instead Of Self Service?
- A plumbing professional should be your priority if you need your water heater repaired, as professionals have the knowledge and expertise to fix your water heater. They can perform these tasks quickly and efficiently. They can also determine if there is a severe problem with the heater. Self-service should be your second choice because you do not have the knowledge and expertise that professionals have.
- One advantage of choosing a heating and plumbing professional is that they can diagnose water heater problems quickly. They can find problems that you can not notice, and such issues plumbers can fix without investing much time along with it, you can save your money too.
- Whenever you need water heater repair services in Temecula, you should connect with L&S Turnkey professionals. Self-repair may seem like an easy option, but it may create more problems. Professionals have all essential knowledge along with modern tools to fix an issue. They have enough experience to diagnose and fix water heater challenges.
Professional Water Heater Repair Experts In Your Area
Amongst many L&S Turnkey is one of the best water heater repair service providers in Temecula. Their skilled experts have extensive experience and state-of-the-art tools, which assure quick diagnosis, and repair of water heaters.
L&S Turnkey plumbers can handle all your emergency water heater needs as well as routine maintenance and replacement of irreparable components. In Temecula and nearby areas, their services are available easily at an affordable rate.
Some Important Question That May Arise Before Draining Water Heater
How do you drain a water heater quickly?
To drain a water heater quickly, the first thing you need to do is turn off the gas or electric supply valve. Open the drain valve and connect the hose to it. Make sure to place the hose end below the level of the water heater, but don’t put the nozzle right next to the tank. Then, turn on the hot water faucet and open the pressure-relief valve. You can then drain the tank. Before removing the hose from the water heater, you should make sure the water is running and that the drain valve isn’t clogged.
Can you drain your water heater yourself?
You can drain your electric water heater yourself by following these steps: Turn off the gas valve or circuit breaker, whatever is available. Connect a hose to the drain valve, placing the hose end below the water heater. Open the pressure-relief valve and the drain hose. Check for any clogs, and if necessary, call a plumber. If you are not comfortable performing this task, leave it to a professional.
Conclusion
Draining your electric water is quite beneficial as it can prevent huge problems. You may feel it is a time-consuming task, but it saves you from spending a significant amount of money.
If you want to learn how to drain an electric water heater, you should start by learning how it works. It is a complex piece of equipment, so you should not attempt it yourself. Luckily, there are some easy steps that you can take to help you do it correctly.
Your water heater requires maintenance other than flushing sediments or draining them. Taking these relatively simple steps can ensure a more efficient water heating process and minimize the clogs caused by sediments. For effective water heater maintenance and repair services, call L&S Turnkey plumbers.
