Hot water becomes somewhat of a necessity in the cold weather; this is when hot water heaters become life savers. However, this luxury is often taken for granted and people disregard the importance of proper maintenance. Consequently, they may end up with a clogged drain valve and need to learn how to drain a hot water heater when it won’t drain.
For smooth running, it is essential to drain your hot water heater twice a year to remove sediments. When you heat water using the heater, the minerals in the water separate and settle at the bottom which is why it is necessary to drain it routinely.
Meanwhile, negligence leads to a build-up of these sediments which clog the drain valve. As a result, the efficiency of the heater is compromised and it consumes more energy to heat the water which means it costs more money to run.
The clog can be of varying degrees depending on how long you left the build-up unattended. In minor cases, you can easily unclog the drain valve on your own. On the other hand, some severe cases might be unrepairable and can lead to the need of buying a new water heater.
This article includes a step-by-step method of how to drain a hot water heater when it won’t drain, the things you will need, and the precautionary measures you should take.
Precautions – What to Consider
Primarily, you should look for the main water supply valve before you start the process. While it will not be needed, it is better to locate the main valve before you meddle with the plumbing fixtures.
Another thing you should be cautious about is that the water might be extremely hot. You should use thick rubber gloves and goggles to avoid accidents. Therefore, it is best to switch off the water heater a few hours prior to let the tank cool off. Some of the ways to cool the water tank are as follows:
In case the drain valve is not entirely clogged, drain as much water as you can and open the inlet of the valve to allow cold water to enter and dilute the hot water. Make sure the fuel source is switched off.
If the drain valve of the water heater is completely clogged you can drain it by opening all the hot water faucets in your home to empty the tank. Meanwhile, make sure to turn the heater off to avoid water from reheating.
Things You Need
Here is the list of things you need to drain your hot water heater:
Wrench
Flathead screwdriver
Bucket
Garden hose
Ways on How to Drain a Hot Water Heater When It Won’t Drain
There are various methods to get the water flowing when your hot water heater won’t drain. The method that will work for you will primarily depend on the severity of the clog. The best course of action will be to start from the easiest method and work your way up until the problem is resolved.
Method #1: Wait
In certain situations, you do not need to complicate the matter and simply give it some time. Minor clogs can clear on their own with the pressure of the sediments and the weight of the water inside the tank.
In this method, you have to simply attach the garden hose to the drain valve and leave it open. To maintain high pressure, close the hot water faucets in your home. Usually, it takes around an hour for a minor clog to clear. Correspondingly, if the drain valve doesn’t clear in an hour you have a more serious clog.
Method #2: Use a Wire Coat Hanger
If waiting doesn’t solve the problem you can move on to this next method. For this, all you need is a wire coat hanger. Firstly, you will need to detach the hose and close the drain valve.
To avoid creating a mess, you can place a bucket under the drain valve. Next, insert the wire coat hanger into the tank through the drain valve and move it around to loosen the sediments that may be blocking the drain. If water starts to flow you are successful in unclogging the drain.
Once you find the flow of water satisfactory, turn off the drain valve and attach the hose to continue draining the tank. The valve may clog again while the tank is draining. In this case, repeat the process.
Method #3: Perform Back-Flush in the Drain Valve
If the above-mentioned steps fail, you should proceed with this next method for which you will require a washing machine fill hose as both ends have female connections. Fundamentally, this method clears the drain valve by pushing the sediment away from it, allowing you to drain your heater tank with ease.
Firstly, you need to close the drain valve and attach the end of the machine hose to it. Attach the opposite end to a nearby faucet or a garden hose (attach the other end of the garden hose to a faucet). Next, turn on the faucet and open the drain valve of your heater to allow the water to flow into the tank for 10 to 15 seconds.
Finally, you can turn off the water faucet, close the drain valve and detach the hose from it. Proceed with the normal drainage steps to empty your tank.
In case the clog still doesn’t clear, the problem might be too severe for you to handle on your own and you may need the aid of a seasoned plumber. In some situations, you might have a faulty valve that needs replacement.
A Comparison of Three Methods
Category
Method #1 (Wait)
Method #2 (Use Wire Hanger)
Method #3 (Back-Flush)
Time
Almost an hour
In 5-10 minutes
10-15 minutes
Cost
Free (but time taking)
The cost of a wire hanger (cheap)
Female connections for faucets are required(Cheap)
Cleanliness
Won’t create a mess
Can create a mess, if you are not careful
Less messy than second method
Best For
Minor clogs
Minor and a little severe clogs
All sorts of clogs unless something huge is stuck in your hot water heater
Suitable for Which Heater
Any size heater that has a simple design, allowing the water to exist freely.
Small heaters with straight pipes where you can easily insert a wire.
Any water heater that you have in your house.
FAQs – People Also Ask
Are you supposed to drain a hot water heater?
Regular maintenance of the hot water heater includes flushing it twice a year. If your water heater goes longer than six months without a drain and flush sediments and minerals start building up which can eventually lead to scaling. Furthermore, if you have extremely hard water, you may need to drain your heater more often.
When not to drain a hot water heater?
Draining a hot water heater is typically an easy task that falls within the scope of basic home maintenance. Nevertheless, there are some situations where you should avoid performing this task. If you are not confident about being able to perform this task, it is best to leave it to professionals. Also, if you have gone a long time without draining your heater tank, you should avoid taking up the task suddenly. In such cases, the built-up sediment might have corroded the metal unit and it might be acting as a plug in the leak.
How does sediment build-up damage a hot water heater and affect the water quality?
Sediment that settles at the bottom of your heart tank over the years can lead to various issues like corrosion which creates leaks. Additionally, it makes it difficult to heat the water, which is why the heater may take up more power leading to higher utility bills. Furthermore, air may get trapped in the sediment which creates popping sounds. Sediment buildup in your water heater’s tank can also affect the quality of your tap water. Correspondingly, you may notice color changes and grittiness in the water. Eventually, it may even lead up to a foul odor. Although the water might not be hazardous to you and your family, it will not be pleasant to use.
Final Verdict
One of the most probable reasons that your hot water heater won’t drain is a clogged drain valve. For efficient output, it is essential to regularly drain water from the heater tank. However, in case of a clog, you can use the methods discussed to try and resolve it.
While performing this task you should ensure that you follow the safety precautions. Furthermore, if you are not comfortable doing it on your own, or you are unable to clear the clog using these methods you should call for a professional to help with the problem.
Hi everyone! My name is Jason, and I am the founder of HeaterWise.com. Having run my own business as a Heating Engineer for 21 years, I have picked up a few things along the way.
I wanted to create Heater Wise as a place where anyone could come, from far and wide, to find the information that they need.
I hope you will join us here at Heater Wise, to get started on your own journey, to expand your knowledge, and make the best heating choices for you and your family.
