It only takes about 15 to 30 minutes to completely drain a water heater. A typical 40- to 60-gallon residential tank found in most homes will take no more than 15 minutes. However, larger tanks (80 gallons or more) found in homes with larger families can take longer, usually from 30 to 60 minutes; sometimes more.
Depending on which water heater drain pump you use you can empty a 50 gallon water heater tank within 2-1/2 to 10 minutes instead of waiting for the water heater to drain by gravity. Step 5. Open the hot water side of your kitchen faucet (or the hot side of any faucet close to your water heater).
Depending on the size of the hose and pressure, you can expect it to deliver 9 to 17 GPM. So if you have a 50 gallon tank, the water should be flowing at full pressure for 3 to 6 minutes – if the flow is slow, is trickling, etc…
Sediment or scale can sometimes plug the drain valve so the water can't drain. Open and close the drain valve 3 times to get rid of all sediment. You can also use compressed air to force sediment out the drain and back into the tank. If you aren't sure what to do or have problems, call a plumber.
Allow the tank to fully drain: Again, make sure to be cautious of the exiting hot water. Let all of the water completely drain from the tank. This can take anywhere from about 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of the tank.
Turn off the drain valve once the water runs completely clear. Let your water tank fill up. You'll know when your water tank is full when the hot water tap, which you turned on earlier, runs normally without any residual air coming out. Turn off the tap.
It only takes about 15 to 30 minutes to completely drain a water heater. A typical 40- to 60-gallon residential tank found in most homes will take no more than 15 minutes. However, larger tanks (80 gallons or more) found in homes with larger families can take longer, usually from 30 to 60 minutes; sometimes more.
Perform a Quick Flush
To do this, open the drain valve for a few seconds and then close it again. The pressure will blow out any sediment stuck in the valve and help the tank drain faster. If quite a bit of sediment comes out, you can repeat this a couple of times.
It's important to shut off the power to your water heater before draining it, or you could potentially burn out the heating elements. If you have an electric water heater, shut the power off from your home's electrical panel. The correct fuse or circuit breaker should be labeled as being connected to the water heater.
If your hot water runs out too fast, you may have an issue with: Too much hot water demand from multiple sources at the same time. Sediment build up inside of your water heater tank. A broken dip tube.
Shut off the cold-water inlet to the water heater. Connect a garden hose to the tank's drain valve. Locate the draining end of the hose in an area that won't be adversely affected by the scalding hot water. With the pressure relief valve open, you can now open the drain valve and allow the tank to drain completely.
For a 50 gallon tank at 1.2 GPM of hot water, your shower should last about 42 minutes.
They are available in both tankless and tank models
50-gallon water heaters have a longer lifespan. In general, 40-gallon heaters last eight years, while 50-gallon heaters can last 12 years. This is because 50-gallon heaters have thicker tanks. As a result, they are less likely to develop leaks.
This means if you have a 30-gallon hot water heater tank, you should get 21 gallons of hot water in the first hour. With a 50-gallon tank, you should get 35 gallons; and an 80-gallon tank will yield 56 gallons. This is because as hot water is being used, cold water continuously enters the tank.
While draining your water heater once a year is the minimum recommended maintenance, flushing it twice a year is ideal. If you live in an area with high mineral content, more frequent flushing may be necessary to prevent mineral buildup in the tank.
Tank water heaters need to be drained about every six months following these steps: Turn off electricity or gas to your unit. Close the unit's cold water supply valve (this is the valve that sends cool water into the tank). Attach a garden hose to the water heater drain valve, located near the bottom of the tank.
Yes. As part of your regular water heater maintenance schedule, flushing and draining your water heater regularly boosts the quality of water in your home. It could also save you money long-term, as you can prolong the life of your tank with maintenance.
Close Valve, Refill Tank, Restart Water Heater
Close the drain valve, remove the hose and turn on the cold water supply. The tank will begin to fill. Go back to the hot water tap opened earlier. Once cold water begins to flow from the tap, turn it off.
An anode rod is a steel wire surrounded by either zinc, aluminum, or magnesium. It is usually about 4 feet long. It is screwed into the top of a water heater and protects the water tank from the formation of rust.
Typically, the rule-of-thumb is that you want a 40 gallon tank for 1 to 4 people, a 50 gallon tank for 4 to 6 people, and a 50 gallon high recovery or 75 gallon tank for 6 to 8 people.
A small (50- to 60-gallon) storage tank is usually sufficient for one to two three people. A medium (80-gallon) storage tank works well for three to four people. A large tank is appropriate for four to six people.
Experts generally recommend that you drain and remove the sediment from your water heater at least once a year. This helps to ensure the greatest supply of hot water to your home, and also prevents the sediment from corroding the water heater's components.