How to properly drain the water from the water heater and in what case should it be done?

3 No need for descent

It is not always necessary to eliminate the contents of the water heater. When storing the unit for the summer period, it is recommended to keep a small amount of water in it. This prevents the formation of "early" corrosion and prevents the combustion of the unit if the owners inadvertently connect it without first filling it.

If you want to change the contents of the tank after a long-term preservation of the system, the complete drain procedure is not recommended. It will be enough to update the water in the tank through the tap several times, which experts recommend doing once every couple of months, passing about 100 liters of water through the unit (alternately cold and hot).

Draining water from Termex and Ariston water heaters

Next, we will look at how to drain water from Termex and Ariston water heaters. These water heaters differ only externally, and their internal design is almost identical. Only in some cases, Termex heaters have an additional outlet for draining water. What is needed in order to quickly drain the water from the boiler?

It will be much easier to drain the water from the water heater tank if you install a special tap to drain the water during its installation.

The drain process must be taken care of even when installing the water heater. To do this, it is necessary to provide for the installation of a special drain cock on a pipe with a cold water supply. If it is not there, then the drain process will be somewhat difficult - both pipes will need to be disconnected. If the tank is being cleaned, then there is nothing to worry about. But if water is drained for the winter, then the fuss with disconnecting the pipe will be superfluous.

How to properly drain water from a water heater? The process takes place in several stages:

• Disconnecting the boiler from the power supply in order to cool the water - do not climb under hot water, otherwise you can get burned;
• Turning off the cold water supply is a mandatory procedure when draining water;
• Depressurizing the water in the tank - for this we open the tap with hot water, and after it stops flowing, we close it again;
• Opening the drain tap - after that, the water will drain completely, but before that you need to open the hot water tap again.

You may ask, why is the water drained through the water supply and not through the hot water faucet? The thing is that cold water is supplied to the storage water heaters from below, and goes to the points of water intake from above.Since the water inside the boiler is under pressure, the pressure must be relieved before emptying - for this, the hot water tap is opened when the cold supply is closed.

In order to quickly drain the water from the water heater after depressurizing, we need to sequentially open the hot water tap and open the drain tap. The procedure is identical for both Ariston boilers and Termex water heaters. Opening hot water will allow water from the tank to flow out through the drain valve under its own pressure - without an open tap, it will not flow.

To drain water from boilers equipped with a special drain hole, you do not have to install a separate tap on the cold water supply hose.

In some heaters, water can be drained from the tank through a special outlet already built into the boiler design. One tube used for cold water supply, the other - for the removal of hot water, and the third - for draining. But even in this case, you need to open the hot water tap and shut off the cold water supply.

Experts advise using a double drain system on boilers with a special drain pipe - through this pipe and through the drain cock. This achieves complete emptying of the tank.

Have you started draining water from the water heater through the drain cock located on the cold water supply pipe? Then you may encounter a problem when the water drains barely or does not drain at all. It is worth noting that this crane itself is not very productive. If you want to drain the water as quickly as possible, install a tee with a branch here, which will play the role of a drain tap.

If the tap for draining the water is clogged or it simply does not exist, then nothing prevents you from simply unscrewing the hose or tap from the filler hole and draining the water through it.

If the water does not want to pour out through a regular drain tap, then it is most likely just clogged - this often happens after long-term operation without regular cleaning of the tank. In this case, you need to close the hot water tap, arm yourself with a wrench, unscrew the tap and clean it - do not be afraid, water will not pour out of the boiler, since the hot water tap is closed. After cleaning the drain tap, you can quickly drain the water from your water heater.

Is there a drain cock on the cold water pipe? In this case, drain by disconnecting the supply pipe from the boiler and then opening the hot water tap. It is recommended to connect a hose to the supply tube and lead it into the sink or toilet so as not to flood the floors, furniture and neighbors from below.

How to drain water from a storage boiler

Consider this type of boiler, its connection, and how water is drained from it. To see more details, click on the photo and it will open in a new tab, and then click again to enlarge the photo. As seen in the photo, discarded the valve is screwed on the boiler, separately from cold water, which is very convenient, and the water is very easy to drain here.

1. Disconnect the boiler from the power supply

2. We close 2 inlet valves (faucets) for the apartment, cold water, hot water.

3. Open the tap on one mixer for hot water, and on the other for cold water. Hot opens so that a vacuum is not created, and the water flows freely.
four.Open the taps on the boiler and wait for the water to merge. That's all the action, if such a scheme.

How to drain the water from the water heater with this connection

Here, the relief valve is installed on the cold water supply, but as you can see, it is not connected to the boiler, but to the tee, and the tee is already connected to the thread of the cold water boiler inlet, a tap is screwed into the side outlet of the tee, here it was done a little unaesthetically, it could have been instead of a tap and iron pipe install faucet with external thread and it would be nice, and less connections.

Made not aesthetically pleasing, but convenient ("I blinded him from what was"). Here it could be made more beautiful, but this is the correct connection, and it is convenient to drain the water

I would like to draw your attention to the relief valve model, this model does not provide for draining from the boiler, but this valve model provides for draining

Flexible hoses are also an eyesore, although they are reinforced, but since this is in the private sector, and there is no pressure of more than 2 atmospheres, I think they will stand for 5 years for sure. With this connection, the water from the boiler is drained without problems. The hoses are connected to the taps. How do we drain the water heater in this case:

1. Disconnect from the power supply

2. We close the inlet tap for supplying hot water to the apartment

3. Close the faucet cold water supply to the boiler

4. We open the tap that comes out of the tee, first we put a hose on it, and we direct the hose into the sewer.

5. We open the hot water tap on the mixer, and the water begins to drain from the hose from the boiler.

How water is drained from the boiler, with a normal connection

This is how craftsmen from companies, or simply “craftsmen”, connect at least a valve with a lever to release water. How do you drain the water in this case?

one.Turn off power.

2. Shut off the inlet taps for supplying cold and hot water, if there is a separate one for the boiler, then you can only shut them off.

3. We take a bucket and put it under the boiler, unscrew the hot water outlet hose, not much water will drain, then unscrew the cold water supply hose, prepare the bucket, and unscrew the valve, and drain the water into the bucket, when the bucket is full, plug the hole with your finger, you will succeed, the pressure is small, but this procedure must be done together, one with a bucket, and the second “guards” the discharge of water.

If a valve with a lever is installed, do as in the first two paragraphs, open the hot water tap on the mixer, then put the lever in a horizontal position, and water will start to drain from the drain hole, but there is one big minus - water from an 80-liter boiler, for example, you are way you will drain at least 1-2 hours, and in my practice I have noticed that these valves often break. There are some more options, but I think the main information should be clear to you - how to drain water from a water heater.

In a private sector, or a water heater is installed in the country, in houses where there is no hot water supply, the drain is done in the same way, only without closing the hot water tap (for not having one available).

Good luck to you!!!

Complete emptying of the boiler tank

Remember that any of the above drain options are not perfect, and not everyone allows you to drain the water from the boiler installation completely. To completely empty the tank, you will need to disassemble the water heater:

1. After a partial drain of the liquid has occurred, you need to unscrew the cap, which is located at the bottom of the tank. On most boiler systems, it performs only a decorative function.
2. Make sure that the device is not connected to electricity. If the drain can be carried out with a connection to the network, then it is absolutely impossible to disassemble the device.
3. The cover cannot be removed completely, so the following steps must be carried out while holding it. Very carefully disconnect the wires from the signal lamp.
4. Then it is necessary to disconnect the electrical wiring from the unit body. Experts recommend taking a picture of the location of the wires, so as not to get confused when reassembling.
5. After you need to unscrew the flange. This mechanism must be rotated counterclockwise. Remaining water will begin to flow, so unscrewing must be carried out slowly so as not to break the thread. By pressure, it will be possible to understand that there is little liquid left and then, complete the final unscrewing.

Draining water from the boiler at first glance may seem complicated

More tips for draining water from the water heater in this video:

Conclusion

The element that heats the water is taken out of the device very carefully. If you do this with a sharp movement, you can damage the heating element. Remember that the entire procedure can be carried out after the contents of the tank have completely cooled down. Even a person who has never had experience with household appliances can cope with the task. The main thing is to perform actions strictly according to the instructions and in case of an emergency, do not panic. The recommendations of the specialists presented above will help you better cope with the problem and find a way out in a difficult situation.

Characteristics and types

Flexible eyeliner for plumbing connection is a hose of different lengths, made of non-toxic synthetic rubber.Due to the elasticity and softness of the material, it easily takes the desired position and allows installation in hard-to-reach places. To protect the flexible hose, the upper reinforcing layer is designed in the form of a braid, which is made of the following materials:

• aluminum. Such models withstand no more than +80 ° C and retain functionality for 3 years. In high humidity, aluminum braid is prone to rust.
• Of stainless steel. Thanks to this reinforcing layer, the service life of the flexible water supply is at least 10 years, and the maximum temperature of the transported medium is +95 °C.
• Nylon. Such a braid is used for the manufacture of reinforced models that can withstand temperatures up to +110 ° C and are designed for intensive use for 15 years.

Nut-nut and nut-nipple pairs are used as fasteners, which are made of brass or stainless steel. Devices with different indicators of permissible temperature differ in the color of the braid. The blue ones are used for cold water connections, and the red ones for hot water.

When choosing a water supply, you need to pay attention to its elasticity, reliability of fasteners and purpose. It is also mandatory to have a certificate that excludes the release of toxic components by rubber during operation.

What to do in case of breakdown

When the water heater behaves strangely, there are interruptions in operation, sudden shutdowns and extraneous sounds, the device definitely needs to be repaired, which means draining the water.But only if it is under warranty, it is better for the owner to call for service, since free help will “burn out” with self-repair. Even during installation, it is desirable to make sure that the seller and the repairman are from the same organization. In this case, it is much easier to get comprehensive qualified support. Warranty repair in most cases is carried out at the place of installation of the unit.

Boiler drain valve

Instructions on the example of a Thermex water heater

1. The initial action (always, during any work with electrical appliances) is to turn off the power supply.
2. After disconnecting the boiler from the mains, turn off the valve that regulates the access of cold water and let the hot water cool to room temperature (or use it up).
3. To reduce the pressure in the tank, turn on the hot supply on any tap closest to the water heater and leave it on until the water runs out.
4. In the place where the cold water pipe goes to the boiler, there is a safety valve. Below there are nuts that need to be unscrewed.
5. After the nuts, unscrew the valve itself, keeping the hose ready, which must be attached to the hole immediately, and the drain container, otherwise some of the moisture from the tank will spill past.
6. Having completed the manipulations with cold water, proceed in the same way to hot water, unscrewing the valve from the corresponding pipe. The water will flow quickly as the tank will begin to fill with air.

Related article: Malfunctions of pumping stations and their elimination

For a more detailed description, see the video: “How to properly drain water from a Termex boiler” (video section).

Instructions on the example of an Ariston water heater

The first three steps are performed in the image and likeness of the Termex boiler.The next steps look like this:

• on the water supply, turn off the hot water supply valve to fill the tank with air;
• on the pipe that brings cold water to the boiler, fix the drain hose, after lowering it into a container or bath (sink, toilet bowl);
• unscrew the valve on the same pipe to empty the tank.

We drain the water from the water heater Ariston

Boiler cleaning

need to be cleaned regularly

It is better not to buy water heaters with thermostats made of ferrous or galvanized metals, they do not clean rust well and do not process water well. The best options are models with magnetic thermostats. With strong scale, on the thermostat (heater), it is necessary to replace him for a new one. Cleaning the old one is a waste of time and effort. Even if you clean it, it will get dirty much faster the second time.

So, let's start cleaning:

1. First, turn off the power to your water heater, for this, after removing the cover from the bottom of the tank, unscrew the wires.
2. Then we tightly put a hose on the drain valve (it must necessarily correspond to the diameter of the valve itself).
3. Lower the opposite end into the toilet or bath, water will begin to drain there.
4. Open the valve and unscrew the cold water supply pipe. If you live in an apartment, be sure to shut off the water supply pipe to the apartment before that. The water drain will take approximately 30 minutes.
5. Place a deep container under the tank.
6. Unscrew the bolts on the electrical part. The electrical part is the middle (circle) of the bottom of the water heater.
7. For convenience, you can remove and turn the boiler.
8. After you have unscrewed the bolts, hold the electrical part to which the heater itself is attached and carefully begin to pull it out without damaging the rubber gasket.
9. Next to the heater you will see annon, which protects the inside of the tank from corrosion. See if it's all intact, if it's in poor condition, replace it with a new one.
10. After that, clean the tank, remove all the rust from there and rinse it.
11. Be sure to dry it before embedding the heating element with the electrical part back.
12. Only after thorough drying, collect the boiler back.

The cleansing process ends here.

Although the boiler does not require much attention, but for its good work and long service life, at least once a year, give it a little time. After all, it is much cheaper to replace some parts in it than to buy a new one later.

Wondering if your boiler needs cleaning? Just watch this video:

Strong advice. When disassembling and assembling the boiler, try not to damage any rubber gaskets or plastic parts, be as careful as possible. Otherwise, the boiler may leak, and the search for new gaskets will take a lot of time.

Basic ways

To drain the water from the boiler, you need to ensure the supply of air inside the tank.

There are several ways to drain water from a water heater. Whichever one is used, you first need to disconnect the device from the network, and then leave it for a certain time so that the liquid in it cools down.

While the water cools down, prepare everything you need to drain it. You can use a bucket or a hose. Its end is lowered into the toilet or bathroom, after which it is attached so as not to hold the hose all this time. The draining process itself takes about 20 minutes.Next, turn off the cold water supply. Open a hot water tap on the mixer in order to reduce the pressure in the boiler and allow air to enter the tank.

Finally, connect the drain hose and open the valve for cold water pipe.

Draining process:

1. Previously, before work, it is required to turn off the electrical device from the network.
2. Then wait a certain time so that the liquid in the boiler tank can cool to a safe temperature, which will reduce the risk of possible burns during the process of draining the water.
3. Next, the cold water supply to the device is shut off.
4. After that, you need to open hot water on the mixer, or turn the lever to the desired position to remove the pressure inside. You need to wait for all the liquid to come out of the pipe.
5. The next step is to unscrew the tap located on the hot water pipe in order to ensure the passage of air into the tank.
6. Next, you just need to open the drain valve, which is located on the pipe with cold water leading to the boiler, and by connecting the hose responsible for drainage, release all the liquid into the sewer.
7. Finally, make sure that all the water has completely drained from the tank.

How to drain water from the Termex water heater?

1. Close the cold water supply faucet.
2. Then unscrew the tap with hot water on the mixer.
3. After that, you just need to wait for the water to finish flowing. Draining takes approximately one minute.
4. Next, the faucet is turned on.
5. Then, using an adjustable wrench, the nuts for supplying cold water to the check valve, which are located below it, are unscrewed.Fears that the boiler will start to flow are groundless, since the design is specially designed in such a way that it does not allow hot water to penetrate into the cold pipe.
6. Then the check valve is twisted, having previously prepared a drain hose into the sewer. After this action, water may flow from the nozzle. Therefore, you need to fasten the hose to the pipe as soon as possible.
7. The next step is to unscrew the nut on the hot water pipe. After that, air will enter the system, and the liquid will pass inside the hose. If this does not happen, it is necessary to “clean” the hose.

From the water heater "Ariston"

1. The mixer tap and the tap with water supply are twisted.
2. The shower hose and outlet pipe safety valve are unscrewed.
3. The hose that supplies water is unscrewed and sent to the tank. Water will begin to flow from the inlet pipe.
4. 2 plastic nuts are unscrewed from the outlet and inlet pipes.
5. The cap of the mixer handle is disconnected, then the screw is unscrewed, the handle and plastic gaskets around it are removed.
6. The body of the boiler is removed from the tank, in the direction of the mixer, without removing it completely.
7. Using a hexagon, the metal plug of the upper part of the mixer is unscrewed.
8. Until the end, the liquid is drained from the hole where the plug was located.

Given the fact that water heaters are only used for a few weeks or days, when hot water is turned off, usually in the summer, most people wonder if it is worth draining the water from the boiler if it is not used for a long period.

There is no unequivocal advice on draining the liquid from the water heater, as it depends on the situation.If the boiler is broken and does not perform a heating function, then the liquid does not drain. Then follows contact the service center, in particular, if the device has a warranty card.

In general, before using any household appliances, including a water heater, it is necessary to carefully read all the technical documentation supplied with the device, since it is in it that the answer to the question is often found whether it is necessary to drain the liquid from the boiler during a long period of inactivity .

Types and causes of breakdowns

Storage water heaters are designed for an average of 8 years of operation. Proper care will extend this period. The reliability of equipment from different manufacturers is different. For high-quality boilers, the company gives a guarantee of at least 2 years.

The main types of breakdowns:

• leaks at the hose entry points;
• unpleasant odor and taste;
• heats up for a long time;
• the heater constantly turns on, cools down quickly;
• The boiler is broken.

Leaks occur in cases of leakage of connections or destruction of the walls of the inner tank. If replacing the gaskets does not fix the leak, call a professional.

An unpleasant smell appears when the water stagnates. To avoid this, it is necessary to consume at least 100 liters of it within 3 months.

The harder the water, the more sediment accumulates at the bottom. The anode does not cope and the surface of the heating element is covered with scale. Boiler needs to be cleaned. For normal operation of the equipment, a water filter must be installed.

If the insulation layer is broken, the contents of the tank will quickly cool down. In this case, you will have to call specialists to restore the thermal insulation.

If the electrical system is disturbed, the boiler may not turn on or heat to a boil. Turn it off immediately and call an electrician.

Storage water heaters are in demand in houses where there is no hot water, in summer cottages. They are comfortable and require minimal maintenance.

other methods

There is another method for removing water. In this case, the tap is closed through which the liquid enters the unit, the mixer is opened and the water is removed. A "flag" opens on the valve. The disadvantage of this method is that the liquid takes too long to come out. The reason is that air enters the container, which prevents the liquid from being removed.

You can solve the problem if you remove the pipe from the hot water. In this case, the valve should be twisted with special care to avoid damaging the threads. Before starting the operation, it is recommended to put a couple of drops of engine oil on the valve. This will protect it from damage when unscrewing.

Before starting work, make sure that:

• the tap is closed;
• water does not flow;
• unit is not hot.

To drain the liquid completely and do it correctly, you should definitely familiarize yourself with the water heater device, which consists of the following elements:

• internal capacity;
• thermal insulation;
• decorative coating;
• control device;
• electrical cable;
• temperature display device.

The magnesium anode is an important part that needs to be changed every two years. It is designed to effectively soften water, counteract the formation of lime deposits. A heating element is a special element due to which water is heated. It is made of a tungsten or nichrome spiral.She, in turn, turns into a copper casing. This design allows you to quickly heat the liquid with maximum efficiency.

The quencher prevents cold and warm water from mixing. The regulator allows you to heat the liquid up to 76 ° C, keep the constant mode. If the temperature reaches 96°C, a special relay switches off the system automatically. The tube, which is responsible for the intake of water, is located at the bottom, liquid is drained through it.

There must be entry and exit markings. There is a blue color gasket on the pipe, the outlet is marked in red. To drain the water according to all the rules, you should definitely study the device diagram, which is often attached to the purchase.

The practice of expressing water using a tee is quite common. This method makes it possible to simply and effectively remove residual water without the use of any tool. If everything is done correctly, then the liquid can be removed from the container in ten to fifteen minutes.

This is done as follows:

• the unit is de-energized;
• the water supply is shut off;
• hot water faucet opens;
• water is removed from the tube through the mixer;
• a hose is put on, a tap on the drain is unscrewed;
• the barrier armature is closed.