How to Flush a Water Heater

Turn Off Your Water Heater

The first step of how to drain a gas water heater is to turn it off. This may be a button on the heater or you may need to turn a lever on the gas line.

Turn Off the Cold Water

Next, turn off the supply of cold water to the water heater. There should be a lever on a pipe that runs directly into the heater.

Let the Heater Cool

Next, let your water heater cool down. Otherwise, you’ll be dealing with a lot of very, very hot water and the risk of getting burned is high.

Open a Hot Water Faucet

The next step of how to flush a water heater is to turn on a hot water faucet somewhere in your home. This helps release pressure in your water lines, which will allow your hot water heater to drain and flush entirely.

Hook Up a Hose to Your Water Heater

Attach a hose to the outlet at the bottom of your water heater. This should be threaded so that any old hose will work. Put the other end of the hose in a bucket or into your sewer hatch in the floor.

Open the Drain Valve

Open the drain valve on your water heater. This may be a valve, a lever, or even a button. If you have to twist it, twist it counterclockwise (left) to open it. Let the water from your water heater drain into the bucket or the drain on the floor until it is all gone. You should see some sediment flowing out with the water.

Return Everything to Normal

Once you’re done, return your system to normal. Close the drain valve, remove the hose, turn off the water around the house, turn on the water supply to the water heater, and turn the water heater back on. Make sure it’s heating well before you clean up entirely.

And that’s how to drain and flush a hot water tank. If you need help or don’t want to do it yourself, call the Boise water heater experts at Dillon Plumbing today.