S To Unclog A Drain Valve
As an Amazon Associate, we receive a commission on qualifying purchases made via our link. Get to Know Us a Little Bit Better! Clogged drain valves are the most common reason of a water heater that will not drain. As a result of excessive sediment build-up within the tank, this is a common occurrence. During the heating process, the minerals present in the water separate and fall to the bottom of the water heater. Not only will the silt diminish the efficiency of the device if it is not emptied on a regular basis, but it may also clog the drain valve and cause the water within the water heater to get trapped.
Clogs may be anything from a little nuisance to a significant problem, depending on their severity. This problem, if left ignored, will eventually need the purchase of a new water heater, as silt will tear down the inside of your tank, resulting in an unfixable leak.
To prevent the water from warming, the fuel source should be switched off.
Water Heater That Wont Drain Heres What You Can Do
Ever woke up with water that wont drain? Well, it must be one of the worst things to wake up to. But, if youre like me, who isnt naturally fond of learning the ways around my home, youre in for a treat.
You may ask: how do you remove the sediments when its not draining? Let me tell you you are not alone. Many water heaters, especially the older models, do not have an anti-sediment feature. There are two major ways to unclog the drain:
Why Is My Hot Water All Of A Sudden Not Working
If your hot water is all of a sudden not working, it could be due to a number of issues. If your hot water is supplied by a boiler, it may be a problem with the boiler which could include low water pressure, a damaged component or component failure, or out-of-date settings.
If your hot water tank is not receiving the necessary power, your heating element may be defective or have insufficient power. You may need to have a plumber come and inspect it to be sure. If your hot water is supplied by an electric hot water heater, it could be due to a tripped circuit breaker, a blown fuse, or a shorted element.
If your hot water is provided by a gas hot water heater, it could be due to a pilot light going out, a broken thermocouple, a blocked gas burner, or a defective gas control valve. In each case, it is recommended to have a professional come and take a look to identify and resolve the issue.
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Turn Off The Water Heater
Shut off the gas to your water heater, or shut off the power if it is an electric heater. Now shut off the water, using either the valve in the cold-water pipe above the water heater or the main water supply valve to the house. Make sure the pressure is off by testing the hot water faucets in the house, turning them on, and checking for water. Water may gush out at first, but should quickly slow to a trickle if the water has been shut off properly. Be sure to leave a hot water tap open in the sink nearest to your hot water heater to alleviate pressure in the system.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
How Do You Prevent A Water Heater From Clogging
After all the trouble youve gone through to have your water fixed, it is important that you take measures to prevent it from happening again. You may have hired a professional to fix it for you this time, but whos to say that it can be resolved again the next time? There will definitely be a next time, if you still overlook caring your unit.
First of all, you need to look into using a water conditioner, if you havent yet. Sediments are very common to hardwater, and if your unit has this issue, you are likely dealing with hardwater. Water softeners help remove the minerals that cause blockages in a water heater. Those that arent dissolved by the water softener will remain inside the tank.
This is why regular maintenance on your water heater is important, especially doing routine flushing or draining. By doing so, you prevent various minerals and sediments from settling on your water heater, causing blockage, and flush them away before they have a chance to solidify. These are the primary culprits for a clogged water heater.
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Why Is My Hot Water Heater Not Draining
If your water heater wont drain or is draining slowly, you might have a clogged drain valve. You can try these steps to clear it:
- Force some air. With your hose attached, stomp somewhere close to the drain valve to force air into the valve itself. You may need to do this repeatedly think of a plunger in a toilet.
- Use a coat hanger. Only try this method if youve turned off your water heater for several hours. With the valve on, use a straightened coat hanger to poke and prod in the drain valve. Once you work the clog free, be ready to turn the valve off quickly! Its smart to have a drain pan and towel down to catch the water that might rush out suddenly.
Still no luck? There may be more in-depth repairs needed. Call a One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning to take a look.
How To Tell If Your Water Heater Has Sediment Build
There are a variety of indicators that your water heater has a sediment build-up including:
- Energy bills go up despite no increased usage
- Hot water runs out prematurely
- The water heater makes noise while its running
- Your hot water looks rusty or has a bad odor
- It takes a long time for the hot water to warm up
- The water temperature is inconsistent and fluctuates
Draining a water heater is a relatively easy task that homeowners can tackle, but if the water doesnt drain or the heaters performance issues dont improve after flushing the unit, a professional will be able to identify other potential problems that may not be recognizable to the homeowner.
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How Often Should You Drain Your Water Heater
It’s generally a good idea to drain your water heater at least once a year, according to both BobVila.com and The Family Handyman. If you live in an area with hard water, though, Angie’s List says you may need to drain it more frequently. Remember, always check your owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer recommends.
Water heaters are typically a fairly low maintenance appliance, but remember to drain yours regularly. This may help keep it running efficiently and the hot water flowing.
This article highlights examples of precautions you can consider to help maintain your personal property. Please recognize that a particular precaution may not be appropriate or effective in every circumstance and that taking preventive measures cannot guarantee any outcome. We encourage you to use your own good judgment about what’s appropriate and always consider safety.
So How Long Should I Expect My Present Water Heater To Last
Water heaters are limited to an average of eight to ten years. Every ten years is the most recommended time to replace your heater, but you must also remember that different types of water heaters have varying life expectancys. For example, gas heaters normally last six to eight years.
So, when you talk about old being gold, give a hall pass to your water heater.
If a problem should arise with your water heater, dont hesitate to . They can offer the highest standards in repair and, if necessary, replace your existing tank with a new heater. Of course, we can also provide the yearly inspection for your tank.
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S To Draining Your Hot Water Tank
Turn off the gas supply or electrical power to your hot water tank. For a gas water heater, turn the thermostat to the pilot setting. If it’s electric, shut off the breaker or unplug the fuse at the electrical panel.
Turn off the cold water supply valve at the top of the water heater. This pipe should feel cold to the touch. If it feels warm, you’ve got the wrong valve.
Near the bottom of the tank, locate the tank drain valve and attach a standard garden hose to the drain valve. Be aware that some models may have a cover over the valve opening.
Place the other end of the hose in a floor drain or on a driveway where it can drain safely. If necessary, buckets can be used, but be careful not to be burned by the hot water as you work. Make sure the end of the hose is lower than the valve on the water tank.
Open a hot water tap nearest to the water heater, preferably on the floor above. This alleviates pressure in the system, allowing the water to drain quickly from the tank, much like removing your finger from the top of a drinking straw filled with liquid.
Open the drain valve and allow the water to drain from the tank. Again, the water will be hot if you haven’t let it cool first, so use caution. Once all water has drained from the tank, briefly turn the cold water supply on to the tank. This will stir up any remaining sediment. Repeat this process until the water runs clear.
S For Draining Your Hot Water Heater Tank
Take a moment to run the hot water from the faucet or another tap in the house. It should run, then slow to a trickle. Leave this tap on to relieve pressure in the system until youre done draining.
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Is Your Drain Valve Clogged
The first step is to determine if you water heater drain valve is actually clogged.
Follow these steps:
Caution: There’s a good chance that the water in the tank is HOT. If this it the case, you should take safety precautions to prevent being burned.
Always wear work gloves and safety goggles when attempting to drain a water heater. Also, the water should be cooled before draining. Here are several methods to cool the water inside the tank:
- Disconnect the gas or electric supply to the water heater and allow it to sit for up to 24 hours.
- If your water heater is not completely clogged, drain whatever water you can from the drain valve and leave the water inlet valve open. This will allow cold water to enter your tank and dilute the hot water. The fuel source should be turned off.
- If your water heater is completely clogged, you can open the hot water faucets in the kitchen or bathroom to draw hot water from the tank. Leave the cold water inlet valve open to dilute the temperature of the hot water. The fuel source should be turned off to prevent the water from reheating.
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Why Does My Shower Not Have Hot Water But My Sink Does
It could be a variety of different things ranging from a shortage of hot water, a clogged shower head, plumbing system imbalance, a broken or malfunctioning shower valve, or even a malfunctioning hot water heater.
The first step in diagnosing the issue is to determine if the hot water is working in other parts of your house. If it works in other showers and sinks, then the issue is likely restricted to the shower itself.
In this case, the issue could be the shower head. A clogged shower head can restrict the flow of water and cause a shortage of hot water. Consider checking if the shower head has any blockages that are preventing hot water from coming through.
If hot water is also not working in other parts of your house, then the issue could be a plumbing system imbalance or a malfunctioning hot water heater. If the plumbing system is out of balance, multiple rooms could both lack hot water and have an inconsistent flow.
One way to check this is by inspecting the water pressure and temperature at various places in the house. If certain spots have lower pressure or colder water than the others, then it could point to an imbalance in the plumbing system.
If you are also having issues with hot water in other areas of your house, then the cause of the problem could be your hot water heater. A bad hot water heater can prevent hot water from flowing through the home or not produce hot water at all.
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Why Is My Hot Water Not Working But My Cold Water Is
There could be a few reasons why your hot water is not working but your cold water is. The most likely culprit is an issue with your hot water heater. This could be caused by a few different things, such as a broken heating element, sediment buildup, or a faulty thermostat.
It could also be caused by a clogged hot water line, which could be due to a mineral buildup or a broken pipe. Additionally, if your hot water heater is relatively old, it could be an issue of corrosion or a malfunction with the hot water valve.
It is recommended to call a professional plumber to assess the issue and identify the source of the problem. They will be able to accurately diagnose the issue and make the best recommendation for a solution.
Turn Off The Power And Cold Water Supply Of Your Water Heater
Flip the circuit breaker of your electric water heater to the OFF position from your electric panel. For gas units, shut off the temperature dial at the top of the thermostat. Turn the dial from the PILOT to the OFF position.
Next, go to the cold water supply valve of your water heater. It is a single-handed valve located at the top of your unit. Turn it 90 degrees from its open position. If you find a circular valve, twist it clockwise until it closes.
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Perform A Quick Flush
Before you shut off the water, connect a garden hose to the drain valve and try and flush the water heater tank a bit while the water pressure is on. 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.
Be sure that you’ve run your garden hose to either an exterior location or into your bucket to catch the water and sediment that will be released.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
How To Replace A Water Heater Drain Valve
As previously noted, flushing a water heater is a vital element of doing basic DIY water heater maintenance. Unfortunately, the drain valve on a water heater can get blocked with mineral deposits to the point where it must be completely replaced. Step-by-step instructions on how to replace it may be found here. Valve for the drain of a water heaterB K Water heater drain valves are available for purchase at most hardware stores and on the internet for around $8 per valve, depending on the model.
Before you begin the task, make sure you have two buckets, a pipe wrench, a screwdriver, and the new valve on hand to make the job easier.
Remove the valve completely from the system.
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