Few homeowners know that in order to keep your water heater running smoothly and hopefully get an extra year, two or more it needs maintenance. As water enters a water heater tank, dirt, sediment, and various minerals also enter, and eventually settle to the bottom. Depending on your community or local water supply these extra minerals and sediment can end up robbing your water heater's energy efficency and ultimately decreasing its life. So what is a homeowner to do? A little preventative maintenance...and a hose and bucket might help too! The preventative maintenance I am referring to is draining your water heater, which in my opinion should be done annually unless you live in an area where hard water is a problem.
First, locate your water heater and determine if its gas or electric.
Second, locate your water shut-off valve and turn it off.
Third, Turn of your heating supply, whether gas or electric and gather your bucket.
Fourth, locate your drain valve, and pressure relief valve, and attach your hose to the drain valve.
Fifth, after letting your water heater cool down, open the drain valve and release the water heater into the bucket filling until the water becomes clear and free of sediment. (The reason the above step indicates looking for the pressure relief valve is that it may be necassary to open it if the tank does not drain well. Opening the valve will allow air to enter the tank and water to flow easier)
Lastly, after the water appears clear and the sediment is removed from the tank close the drain valve, refill the tank by opening the water valve. After the tank has been completely filled turn the heating supply on. Come back next year and repeat the process.
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