Any experienced plumber you speak with recommends draining a water heater at least twice a year. Rightly so, it’s an important step for water heater maintenance. But how long does it take to drain a water heater? Are we going to have a whole day for this task, or can it be done in a few hours? Let’s figure it out together.

Installing the water heater is the most efficient way to get warm water as per your need. Whether it is an electric or gas heater, it needs to be kept in good condition, and therefore, maintenance is essential. Aside from other maintenance procedures, draining a water heater tank is an important part.

We often ignore this part as we think it is going to take time for a water tank to drain completely. It may be so, but considering the importance, it must be done.

As a matter of fact, it doesn’t take as much time to drain a water heater tank as we thought. Instead, it takes hardly 30 minutes or so. But keep in mind that the duration can vary depending on a variety of factors, like the size of the tank. The larger the size, the longer it will take for water to flush out.

Why is it essential to drain a water heater tank?

The valid question homeowners ask is why it is necessary to flush the water out of the tank when the tank is made for storage purposes.

It is necessary because water entering the tank contains minerals and sediments that accumulate over time.

If you do not flush out the tank periodically, there will come the point where the tank will have more sediments than water. The heater’s efficiency and functionality will be severely affected as a result. Sediment buildup can also result in forming cracks in the tank or blocking the entire hot water lines.

To keep the water heater functioning at its best, the tank needs to be cleaned once in a while, and draining is the best technique.

If it takes too long to drain water out, there might be too much sediment inside the tank, and it creates severe problems for the water heater. In this case, it becomes more crucial to clean it out.

Let’s get to know how much time it takes to flush a water heater tank and how to do it the right way.

What is the time it takes to drain a water heater?

Draining a water heater tank is a crucial step you take, and it goes a long way in keeping the efficiency and performance of a heater. While it is advised to do it a minimum of two times a year, it takes only a few minutes to drain, but it is the preparations that make it a bit longer process.

Remember that if it’s hard water, you have to drain the tank more frequently.

To make sure that you do the process the right way, let’s break it down into steps and see how long it takes to complete the whole process.

Preparation

You don’t simply open the valve and let the water flow out of the heater’s tank when you decide to drain it, but you go with the procedure.

The first step involves turning off the heater. Any time you do repairs or maintenance, the power supply should be removed. Turn off the heater way before time so that the water inside the tank cools down. Also, turn off the water supply entering the tank.

The hose should then be connected to a tank. Direct the hose outside or where you want to flush the water.

Draining

After the heater has been turned off and the hose connected, turn on the drain valve and let the water flow out. Depending on the tank size, it will take around 15-20 minutes for the water to drain out completely.

There will be sediments at the bottom, and you need to remove them as well. For that, open the cold water valve at the top, and it will help get the deposits out. Based on how much buildup there is, it might take an additional 10-20 minutes of your time.

Wash the water heaters tank if you feel like it needs cleansing, and you are done with the job.

So, it’s hardly an hour to complete the task.

Conclusion

Keeping your water heater tank clean keeps it efficient and helps you save on water bills. Draining is, therefore, a crucial step that’s totally worth the time. However, as we have seen in the process, it is not going to take longer than an hour. If you keep a regular check on water heater maintenance, it might all take 30 minutes for draining.

What it’s really about isn’t 60 minutes of your time a year but making sure that the heater is in good working order so that you are supplied with hot water without issue.