Blog

Your water heater plays a crucial part in your daily life, so you’ll want to make sure it always stays in good shape. This is a simple enough task–you just need to take proactive measures that enable it to perform as it should. For instance, you should take care to drain your water heater regularly. Home Air Services, the premier expert in heater and  air conditioner maintenance , shares why here.

Draining the Water Heater Is an Integral Part of Its Maintenance. 

The fact is that sediment builds up at the bottom of the water heater over time. When overlooked, this accumulation will lead to congestion, which can hamper the performance of the unit. In some cases, a clogged water heater will not only lead to malfunctions–it could also simply stop working. You can prevent this, however, by flushing out the sediment (usually made up of minerals and other debris) with regular draining.

How to Drain Your Water Heater Properly

Draining a water heater has many steps, but it’s a maintenance task that any homeowner can do on their own. Here’s what to do:

1. Shut off the main water supply to your water heater.

2. Prepare the water heater for draining by shutting it down. If you have an electric heater, locate its switch on the main electrical panel and power it off. If you own a gas-powered water heater, switch the unit to pilot.

3. Wait until the water inside the unit has cooled down before draining it. The waiting time will depend on the size of the water heater. You can stop at any point if you’d rather a pro do this task for you. In fact, Home Air Services, one of the reliable home heating companies  in the area, can help you with this. In addition to HVAC installation, we can also address water heater needs.

4. Attach a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater. The opposite end of the hose should lead into a floor drain, or directly outside.

5. Open the hot water tap nearest the water heater (preferably one that’s a floor above) to alleviate pressure in the tank and ensure it drains more quickly.

6. Open the drain valve to let out the water. It will take some time for all the water and sediment to drain.

7. Turn the main water supply back on so clean, fresh water can flush the tank.

8. Refill the tank, and remember to drain your water heater at least once a year.

Home Air Services is not only one of the area’s trusted  duct cleaning companies –we’re also your go-to expert for heating repair and maintenance. With our top-tier solutions and team of professionals, we’ll help you get the most out of your water heater. We serve Rockville, MD, and the DC Metropolitan area. Call us today at (301) 585-8100 or fill out this  contact form  to schedule your HVAC evaluation.