Welcome to another home maintenance insight from HunnyDone, your trusted partner in keeping your home in top-notch condition. Today, we're diving into a task that often flies under the radar but is crucial for maintaining the efficiency and longevity of one of your home's key components - the water heater.

This process should be done annually to extend the life of your water heater. Sediment build up, while not a huge issue for water quality, can keep the heat from the burners under your tank from efficiently heating the water inside. Not only does this reduce efficiency, this can damage the tank or other elements prematurely.

Draining your water heater annually is a DIY friendly maintenance task, however HunnyDone has the resources to help you get it done. HunnyDone members have a single phone number to call, a single trusted resource for all of their home maintenance and improvement needs. We help our members find contractors for any and every home project you have on your to do list!

Why Drain Your Water Heater Annually?

• Sediment Control: Over time, water in your heater can accumulate minerals and sediment. This build-up can reduce your water heater's efficiency, leading to higher energy bills and a shorter lifespan for the heater.

• Energy Efficiency: A clean water heater operates more efficiently. Less sediment means less energy is needed to heat your water, which can save you money on your energy bills.

• Preventive Maintenance: Regular draining can help prevent corrosion and rust, thus prolonging the life of your water heater. Think of it as a health check-up for your heater!

Step-by-step Draining Your Gas Tank Water Heater:

Note: Tankless, point of use, and electric water heaters follow a similar process and should be flushed regularly as well. Consult your manual or reach out with questions!

• Turn Off the Gas Supply: Locate the gas valve on your water heater and turn it to the "Off" position. This step is crucial for safety.

• Turn Off the Water Supply: Shut off the cold water supply to the water heater. This valve is usually located at the top of the water heater. Hint: of the two lines above your water heater, it’s the one that’s cool to the touch.

• Allow the Water to Cool: Hot water can cause burns, so it's important to wait a few hours to allow the water inside the tank to cool down.

• Connect a Garden Hose: Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater. Make sure the other end of the hose is in a location where hot water can safely drain, like a floor drain or outside.

• Open the Drain Valve: Before opening the drain valve, open a hot water faucet in a sink or tub inside your home to allow air into the system. Then, open the drain valve where you've attached the hose to let the water start flowing out.

• Flush the Tank (Optional): After the water has drained, you can briefly turn the cold water supply back on to flush out any remaining sediment. Be cautious as the water might be dirty at first.

• Close the Drain Valve: Once the water runs clear, or the tank is sufficiently drained, close the drain valve.

• Refill the Tank: Before turning the gas back on, make sure to refill the tank. Turn on the cold water supply and wait until the tank is full. You'll know it's full when the open hot water faucet you left on earlier starts running water at full pressure.

• Turn On the Gas and Relight the Pilot: Turn the gas valve back to the "On" position and relight the pilot light following the manufacturer's instructions.

• Check for Leaks: After everything is turned back on, check around the water heater for any signs of leaks.

Remember, safety is paramount. If you're unsure about any of these steps or uncomfortable performing them, it's wise to contact HunnyDone and we’ll get a local professional out right away.

Also, always refer to your specific water heater's manual for any manufacturer-specific instructions or safety precautions.  HunnyDone keeps track of every members’ appliance makes and model, allowing us to quickly provide support when you need it. For more information on keeping your home maintenance up to date, check out our blog on Winterizing Your In-Ground Sprinkler System.