How Often Should You Drain Your Water Heater?

For many homeowners, owning a home provides joyful moments, a respite after a long day, and the opportunity to showcase your style. But along with the joy of home ownership comes more than a few maintenance jobs that must be completed each year to keep the home running smoothly and adequately cared for. Checking the chimney for critters before that first fire of the fall season, cleaning out leaves and debris from the gutters after a storm, and regularly servicing the HVAC systems are just a few of the crucial tasks required when you own a home. Add draining a water heater to your list of yearly home maintenance to-dos. It’s an essential task that can save you time and money in the long run. 

Don’t Skip This Vital Home Maintenance Task

Luckily, draining a water heater is a job you can complete, in many instances, just once a year.  As mundane as it might seem to set aside time to drain the water heater, the good news is that, thankfully, this task is one that you can typically complete on your own in just a few relatively minor steps. After all, the last thing you want on your hands is a wake-up call with a cold shower or the disaster of flooded hardwoods. 

Why Do You Need to Drain Your Water Heater?

If you’re partial to hot showers and steamy baths (who isn’t?), then draining your water heater will keep that warm water flowing. “I recommend that my clients drain and flush their water heaters at least once per year,“ says John Davis, a Birmingham-based residential general contractor and owner of Forge Construction. Fortunately, a water heater can last for many years with regular yearly maintenance. “A conventional tank water heater can last as long as 12-15 years, but it is common to see them fail in 8-10 years if they are not properly maintained,” Davis explains.

Water contains many different minerals that can cause a myriad of problems. “Sediment can build up over time if the water heater is not drained annually,” explains Parker Beck, Birmingham-based Operations Manager at ServiceMaster by Don Beck. Draining the water heater once a year is recommended, but excess sediment can accumulate faster if you live in an area with hard water. “Hard water is water with higher mineral content,” Beck explains. If you have hard water, consider draining the water heater more than once a year. 

Signs You Need To Drain Your Water Heater

Since sediment from water builds up over time in the water heater, it’s essential to note any signs that draining is necessary. “Signs of sediment buildup can include rust-colored water at your faucets, leaking or noisy operation at your water heater, or poor performance from your water heater,” says Davis. “You may notice a longer time for your water to heat up,” Beck says. The slow heat-up is a telltale sign that it’s overdue for a drain and flush. 

How To Drain Your Water Heater

With a simple garden hose that you may already have on hand, there are a few easy steps to draining your water heater. Davis offers these simple steps below.  

Step 1: Shut off the cold water supply on the top of the water heater. 

Step 2: Next, disconnect the power to the water heater or shut off the gas supply. The water inside the tank will be hot, so you’ll want to wait for the tank to cool completely, typically just a few hours. 

Step 3: Attach a water hose to the drain valve at the bottom of your water heater and run the hose outside or into a nearby drain. You can use any generic hose for this step, and a garden hose will work just fine. 

Step 4: Turn on the hot water at a nearby faucet and open the drain valve so the water can freely flow out of the tank through the hose. 

Step 5: Once the tank is empty, turn the cold-water supply on to flush the tank with clean water until it runs clear from the drain valve.

Step 6: Remove the hose and close your drain valve before restoring power or gas to your water heater.

What Happens If You Don’t Drain Your Water Heater?

As with other home maintenance projects, issues can arise with a water heater if maintenance isn’t performed. The good news is that it is unlikely that you’d see a significant high-pressure disaster due to this. “The most likely result to occur from a lack of maintenance is premature failure of your water heater, which can cost anywhere from $1,500-3,000 to replace depending on your home and geographic location,” explains Davis. “The water heater will not function the way it is meant to operate, and it could take longer for your water to heat,“ Beck says. Unfortunately, if you’re waiting for the water to warm, you increase your water and energy usage each time you turn on the faucet. 

When To Call A Professional

Indeed, the benefit of draining your water heater is that it is a task you can complete on your own, but there may be times when, in fact, you want to call in a master plumber for assistance. Only take on what you’re comfortable doing. “If you are uncomfortable with the gas, electrical, re-lighting your water heater, or just the risk of making a mess, call a professional,” recommends Davis. “If you have an older water heater, have never had it serviced before, notice any water leaking anywhere from the heater, or do not feel comfortable doing it on your own, it’s always a good idea to call a professional,” Beck adds. You will always want to consult a professional if a situation arises and you’re unsure. The last thing you want is a disaster on your hands or a flooded home if something goes wrong.