How to Drain a Hot Water Heater - Flush Your Hot Water Tank Sediment

Learning how to drain a hot water heater is one of the simplest home maintenance tips that can end up saving you money. This video will walk you through the easy process of draining your hot water heater to flush out any sediment and extend the life of your water heater.
Here are the steps you'll need to follow:
1. Shut off the cold water leading into the water heater
2. Turn the gas control to "PILOT" or flip the breaker to your electric water heater
3. Open the hot side of a faucet in your home (it's best to find a faucet above your hot water heater)
4. Connect a hose to the drain valve on the bottom of the water heater
5. Open the drain valve (BE CAREFUL! WATER IS EXTREMELY HOT)
6. Let water drain from tank completely
7. Open the cold water side several times to try and loosen up sediment on the bottom of the water heater
8. Close the drain valve and remove the hose
9. Open the cold water valve
10. Wait for the faucet to start running a smooth stream of water, then close the faucet
11. Turn your gas control back on, or your electrical breaker back on
House in Progress aims to make daunting home repair and improvement jobs a little simpler by showing you exactly what you need to do, the tools we used and how difficult each project is. Hopefully you feel comfortable draining your hot water heater after watching this!'
Music: BenSound.com

[@Chapol99]

Great video. Just what I needed. I suppose it would be a good idea to let water partially fill up the tank when finished before turning up the heat?

[@treksterjsc]

When I open up my drain nothing is coming out not sure what I should do at this point

[@HouseInProgress]

Are you sure that the drain is opening? Do you feel the valve pulling open? Can you gently stick the of the screwdriver into it to see if it there is an opening?

[@sd906238]

Now your floor drain is plugged with sediment and scale from the water heater.