Flushing the tank Once all the water is drained, keep the hose in the drain valve and turn the cold water valve at the top of the tank back on to begin the flushing process. The new water running through the tank should flush out any remaining sediment. Keep the valve turned on until the water from the hose runs clear.
Remove the hose from the drain valve, and be sure to close the valve. Turn the water supply back on to start refilling the tank. Once the tank is full, turn the power or gas supply to the water heater back on. Remember to turn off the faucet you turned on earlier while draining the tank.
When you use up all of the hot water in a traditional water heater, you will often need to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours or more for the water in the tank to reheat. This is why many people opt to switch to tankless water heaters.
Opening a hot water faucet will help the water heater drain faster. Some drain valves may be opened with a handle but others require a flat blade screwdriver. Let the water heater drain completely.
Keep Your Water Heater Sediment-Free for Best Results
Draining the tank every 1-2 years will help flush sediment buildup and keep things running at peak efficiency.
It's not always necessary to drain the entire hot water tank. Since sediment and buildup settle on the bottom of the tank, you may drain a few gallons of water at a time until most of the sediment is flushed out. This also prevents homeowners from accidently damaging the hot water heater by turning it on without water.
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.
How Long Does It Take to Drain a 50-Gallon Water Heater? Draining a 50-gallon water heater for larger units usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. However, it's worth noting that these are approximations, and the actual time can vary.
Common Reasons for a Leaking Water Heater
A cracked or corroded water heater tank. Loose or faulty fittings and pipe connections. Improperly installed temperature and pressure relief valve. Worn out anode rod to protect the hot water tank from corrosion.
Open each hot water faucet slowly to allow the air to vent from the Water Heater and piping. A steady flow of water from the hot water faucet(s) indicates a full Water Heater.
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.
While draining the tank, keep the pressure relief valve open. This allows air to enter the tank, facilitating a smoother and faster draining process. It also prevents a vacuum from forming inside the tank, keeping the water flowing consistently and preventing potential damage to the tank structure.
Step 2: Run the Water
For such systems, you need to run water for only 5-10 minutes, considering that the heaters don't usually store a lot of water. This time will be sufficient to clear out any debris resulting from installation.
The time it will take for your hot water heater to refill depends on the water pressure of the home. But as a general rule, it will take 30-40 minutes for a 40-gallon tank to fill up (1 minute/gallon).
This is what can happen to your hot water heater if it's been collecting sediment for years, and you suddenly drain it: the water heater will spring a leak.
As mentioned earlier, in many cases, it's safe to shower even if your water heater is leaking. Small leaks typically don't affect the performance of the water heater, and you can continue to use hot water as normal until the leak is fixed.
If you notice a leak anywhere on or around your water heater, you need to turn this valve off because it stops the tank from filling back up. If you can't turn it off because it's broken or you see water leaking from the valve itself, you'll need to cut off your main water supply.
Expect a pro to charge you between $75 and $200 to come to your home to flush your water heater, depending on where you live. While this cost deters many homeowners from performing this annual maintenance, it can extend the water heater's lifespan by years, making it worth the additional cost.
While today's water heaters are better designed than older models, they still require regular maintenance in order to prolong their lives. With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years.
Step 2: Shut off the Water
It's important to wait for the water inside the water heater to cool before flushing as it can remain scalding hot for a long time. You can start this step at night after everyone in your household has no need for hot water.
Well, it depends on your water heater's recovery rate, which is how long it takes to reheat the water tank once it depletes. On average, an 80-gallon tank water heater can take anywhere from 1-2 hours to recover. However, this is just a ballpark figure.