How to properly drain water from a storage water heater

Expert advice

Before proceeding to drain the water from the water heater, it is necessary to prepare the tools and materials presented:

• a set of open-end wrenches or a universal wrench;
• wrench No. 1;
• a flat and cross screwdriver;
• indicator screwdriver;
• drain hose;
• a container for collecting water drained from the tank;
• tow or FUM tape.

Many manufacturers in the accompanying documentation recommend not to drain the water too often, which can significantly extend the life of the water heating equipment.

When the boiler is idle for a long time, it is necessary to turn on the water heater every two months and be sure to let the water through, which will prevent stagnation and the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

How to clean the boiler from scale from the inside

The most important thing is to make sure that the heater is disconnected from the mains before starting work. Next, you need to disassemble the device according to the following plan:

remove the covers (decorative and protective) to the side so that you can get to the working elements of the heater;
photograph or sketch the location of all electrical circuits and equipment. This will later help to assemble the heater back;
remove temperature sensors and thermostat. Remove all wires;
unscrew the nuts with which the heating element is attached to the water heater body

Carefully and slowly take out the heating element. If it is heavily overgrown with scale, it will not be easy to remove it, but still possible

The main thing is to keep the heater tubes intact.

It looks like a heater that needs cleaning

Next, you can start cleaning the heating element. That part of the scale that is on the surface of the element can be easily scraped off with the blunt side of the knife

It is important to act carefully so as not to damage the part itself. For a more thorough treatment of the heating element, it is necessary to prepare a solution of 1 liter of water and 50 grams of citric acid (you can use vinegar instead of acid)

It is most convenient to mix such a liquid in an ordinary plastic bottle with a cut off neck.The part is placed in this solution for several hours until the scale becomes soft. Sometimes this process takes days. After the scale is washed off with a stream of water from the tap.

The magnesium anode is cleaned with sandpaper or a stiff brush. However, if the element has become very thin and has not been changed for a long time, a new one must be installed.

The sediment from the bottom of the storage tank is pulled out manually and thrown away with household waste. To do this, you must also remove the rubber gasket installed between the flange and the tank. The rest of the scale is washed off with a shower jet. If the vessel is heavily contaminated, the procedure is repeated several times. Then the tank is wiped dry with a cloth.

You can see the process of cleaning the water heater tank in the video below:

Design features

Water heaters, or boilers, have taken a strong position in almost every apartment or private house. They provide housing with a regular supply of hot water, helping not to depend on central utility systems. In appearance, a simple device actually has a complex design and performs quite important functions. It automatically maintains the temperature of the water in it.

The modern market for similar household appliances is represented in a wide range. Each owner will be able to find a device suitable for design, size and pricing. Despite the external difference, all water heaters are equipped according to the same principle.

A heating element is hidden inside the case - a tubular electric heater that is directly responsible for heating. He and other parts (safety valve, magnesium anode) are protected by a heat-insulating layer that runs between the outer and inner walls of the housing.

At the bottom of the structure is a thermostat that is responsible for the ability to adjust the temperature. On the outer walls there are special fasteners for the possible installation of a water heater on a wall or other surface.

A few simple and familiar components are responsible for performing important functions and making it convenient to use the water heater.

General procedure

To completely drain the water from the storage tank of the water heater, it is necessary to provide air access to it, and the easiest way to do this is through the DHW pipe. The basic procedure for this is as follows:

• the boiler MUST be disconnected from the mains;
• the valve for feeding the heater with cold water is closed;
• to relieve excess pressure in the tank, a tap for disassembling hot water is opened;
• the screw securing the safety valve flag, which is between the titanium and the water supply line, is unscrewed;
• if there is no provision for draining the liquid flowing from the safety valve into the sewer, an empty bucket or similar container is substituted under it;
• raising and lowering the valve flag as the bucket fills, drain the water from the heater.

Draining water from the storage tank through the safety valve is accompanied by a characteristic gurgling of air bubbles in the boiler. Its absence means that the force of atmospheric pressure is not enough to lift the water in the empty container.

What if it doesn't bubble?

In this case, the procedure has to be expanded:

the connection of the DHW outlet of the heater to the system is disassembled

If it is non-separable, the connection closest to the “hot” outlet of the boiler is disconnected; in extreme cases, a small piece of a rubber hose of a suitable diameter is put on the bend of the hot water tap closest to the water heater;
it is necessary to blow strongly into the hose - this will force the liquid to be forced out of the DHW line into the water heater tank; you can use a compressor or a hand pump - but with precautions .. After all the procedures carried out, the water from the boiler will be drained

But - not completely ... below the edge of the cold water supply pipe, the liquid in the container will still remain. Its volume will depend on the installation height of this tube and can reach several liters.

After all the procedures carried out, the water from the boiler will be drained. But - not completely ... below the edge of the cold water supply pipe, the liquid in the container will still remain. Its volume will depend on the installation height of this tube and can reach several liters.

The final draining of water "dry" can only be done through the mounting holes for fixing the heating element, and it is most often required when replacing a faulty heating element. The second situation when it is necessary to completely empty the storage tank is the conservation of the water heater.

From the technical side, the dismantling of the heating element is a simple operation and does not require special qualifications of the performer. It is only necessary to be careful to avoid damaging the gaskets between the heating element and the tank wall.

It's good when everything is in order!

This connection scheme allows you to quickly drain the water from the storage water heater

The described technology for draining water from a water heater implies that the device was connected to utilities in accordance with all the rules - and this, alas, is not always the case. The most common deviations from the rules are the absence of a shut-off valve that shuts off the supply of cold water to the boiler, the absence of a flag on some models of the safety valve, the inability to access the threaded connections of the inlet and outlet pipes ...

Such violations are not critical and do not have a particular effect on the performance of the boiler as a whole - but they make it very difficult to drain water from it. The process can be significantly facilitated only if its need is foreseen already at the stage of distributing the cold-hot water supply system and a special tap is installed to supply air to the storage tank of the boiler.

Visual video on draining water from a storage boiler

Video:

Video:

Video:

How to drain water from a water heater according to the rules

Before draining the water from the water heater, it is worth a little understanding of the design of the device. It consists of 2 tubes that are attached to the tank. One of them is necessary for the entry of water, and the other for the exit. Another important element is the shut-off valve in the form of a non-return safety valve. If you just unscrew the eyeliner on it, you can only release a couple of liters.

To drain the liquid from the tank of a water heater of any brand, you must first disconnect the device from the power supply. Further actions vary depending on the manufacturer - for example, the popular Polaris, Termex or Ariston.Each of them has its own design features characteristic of heating devices. Termex water heaters are distinguished by an internal surface that is covered with stainless steel and titanium. The outer part is made in impact-resistant plastic.

Taking into account the peculiarities, an instruction is being developed on how to properly drain water from a Termex or Ariston water heater. For the first of these marks, it looks like this:

1. Close the cold water supply valve.
2. When the liquid inside has cooled down on its own or you have used it up, turn on the hot water on the closest faucet. This is necessary to relieve pressure.
3. Close the faucet after all the hot fluid has drained out.
4. Adjustable wrench at the cold water inlet, i.e. bottom of the check valve, unscrew the nuts. Twist the last one too.
5. Immediately connect the hose to the freed tube, which will be needed to drain the remaining liquid into the sewer.

Unlike Termex, the manufacturer Ariston has a slightly different principle for emptying the device:

1. After disconnecting the appliance from the mains, unscrew the top plug of the mixer.
2. Remove the shower hose, turn off the cold water and close the mixer taps.
3. Screw the valves on the supply and return pipes together with the plastic nuts.
4. Remove the cap from the mixer, unscrew the screw, remove the gaskets and the handle.
5. Do not completely disconnect the body of the device from the internal tank, then open the desired plug.
6. Open the faucet faucet to let water flow out of the hole that was closed with the plug.

How to drain water from a boiler with a tee

When the water heater is equipped with a tee, i.e. drain valve, you must use the special instructions for emptying it.This part is located at the outlet of the tank - between the valve and the pipe for supplying cold water. To drain the water, you must first shut off its supply at the inlet to the device. After that, it remains only to open this tee with a tap.

How to drain water from the water heater using the trigger lever

The second method, how to drain water from a water heater, is intended for models that have a special lever in their design, called a trigger. The element is located on the protective valve, and vertically and parallel to the cold water supply pipe. To empty the tank, you need to bend the trigger at an angle of 90 degrees. Some craftsmen even bring a hose to the “nose” of the valve and release liquid into the sewer. The process is very comfortable, but long, because it takes almost 1-2 hours.

How to drain the water from the boiler with the dismantling of the check valve

The last option, how to drain water from an electric water heater, is used if there is a check valve that performs the function of an emergency pressure reduction. This option is considered the most extreme of all, so you should arm yourself with basins, rags and even call a partner. In the first seconds, liters of liquid will rush in a large stream. First you need to unscrew the hot water supply, and only then the safety valve.

How to drain water from a water heater in case of a breakdown

If the equipment breaks down, it is impossible to deal with the drain yourself, especially if the warranty period has not yet expired. In such a situation, you need to seek help from the employees of the company where the water heating device was purchased, or the specialists who installed it.In most cases, repairs are made on site, but if dismantling is necessary, the craftsmen themselves release the liquid. If the warranty has already ended, then you can try to carry out repairs on your own, although it is better to leave it to specialists.

Preparatory stages

Before draining the water, it is important to carry out the following preparatory measures:

1. Prepare all the necessary tools: empty containers for collecting liquid, a hose, an adjustable wrench.

2. Read the instructions for the unit. It contains a description of the features of a particular model and safety rules.

3. Stop the supply of electricity to the device. To do this, simply remove the plug from the socket.

4. Stop the water supply to the water heater. More often, separate taps are installed at the entrance to the boiler. If they are not there, you will have to block the common water supply riser.

In an apartment with access to centralized hot water supply, it is also necessary to turn off the hot water valves. Only after all these actions can you start draining the boiler.

How to drain water from the heater with different types of connections?

Be sure to say that before starting the procedure, the boiler is disconnected from the electrical network. Otherwise, you can not only burn yourself, but also get an electric shock.

Standard type of connection

The usual way to connect the unit is to connect two taps to a pipe with cold water. At the same time, the one closest to the boiler has an outlet in the form of a tube or hose. In addition, a shut-off valve is mounted on the hot pipe.

1. The inlet water tap is closed.
2. Through the mixer, the remnants of the hot liquid in the pipe are released.
3. Next, the second shut-off valve for cold water and shut-off opens.Through an additional pipe, everything is drained from the tank.
4. After removing everything from the system, close the shut-off valve.

Standard #2

This connection is practically the same as the first one. The only thing is that there is no cut-off component to prevent water from entering the heater through a mixer.

In this case, you need to be careful. So, for example, the unit is located in the bathroom. Water is drained from it in the same way. At that moment, someone suddenly wanted to turn on the hot tap in the kitchen. The liquid through the mixer enters the open pipe, which can lead to a flood. Such laughter is often used when connecting. You just need to be careful when disassembling the system.

Simplified

This connection option is mainly used by services that install water heating systems on behalf of the seller company from which the equipment was purchased. The device in this case is mounted in just a few hours and the cost of work is low. A safety valve is installed directly into the boiler, and a tap and a pipe with cold liquid are connected to it. Hot water is available and everyone is happy.

1. Shut off cold supply.
2. Through the nearest mixer, remove the remaining hot.
3. Open the checkbox on the safety valve, through which the drain will be performed. In the meantime, a lot of time will pass.

It is important to remember that air must enter in order to get rid of water. From the mixer, the right amount will definitely not get into the unit. Therefore, you have to unscrew the pipe with hot water

Of course, you can try to blow into the mixer, as some "experts" advise, but most likely this will not help.

Therefore, you have to unscrew the pipe with hot water.Of course, you can try to blow into the mixer, as some "experts" advise, but most likely this will not help.

Simplest

In this case, the connection is used, as in the simplified version, only there is no flag on the valve. With such a connection, it will be most difficult to remove water. Need:

1. Shut off cold.
2. Drain the remaining hot through the mixer.
3. Disconnect hoses.
4. The valve should not be twisted, as it may require additional sealing in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to open the hot and cold taps on the heater and through the latter constantly press on the fuse spring. This is a long but safe process.

The most comfortable

There is a connection that allows you to quickly and easily drain the water from the boiler. To do this, it is necessary to screw a tee to the cold water inlet on the heater. A shut-off valve is attached to one outlet. A safety valve is installed on the second, after which there is a mechanism that shuts off the supply. Almost the same system is installed on hot water. The only thing is that you don't need a valve.

There are many ways to connect a conventional boiler in the system. Many users often choose simple ways. True, when it comes time to carry out scheduled cleaning, problems begin with draining the water.

Cleaning the boiler: how to pour water out of the water heater

In order for your boiler to serve you for more than one year, you need to regularly clean it. Ideally, this should be done 2 times a year. For some modern models, even once is enough. It depends on how often you use your boiler and the quality of your tap water.If you do not carry out this procedure at all, then corrosion and oxidation of metals may begin inside the device, after which scale will form.

It is better not to buy water heaters with this element made of ferrous metals, they disgustingly clean rust and process water terribly.

So, we clean our water tank:

• Turn off the power supply to the water heater;
• After removing the cover from the bottom of the tank, unscrew the wires;
• In the next step, the hose must be tightly put on the drain valve;
• Lower the other end into the communication with the sewer, water will drain there;
• Close the valve and unscrew the pipe with cold water.

If you live in an apartment, then before all actions, turn off the tap that closes the water supply to the room. When performing work, be vigilant, make sure that the liquid from the tank does not flow onto the floor and does not flood the neighbors from below.

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 on the 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 you should 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 .

The process of draining water from the water heater

In order to complete the procedure for draining water from the boiler, you must purchase a special hose. Of the tools you only need set of wrenches and pliers. Experts advise to carry out this work in 6 main steps, namely:

1. The first step is to take care of disconnecting the boiler from the electrical network. Also, wait until the liquid in the tank has cooled down, or drain the hot water through the faucet. This will provide you with additional security.
2. The next steps are to reduce the flow of water into the device. For this purpose, the main water supply hose is disconnected and a previously prepared hose is put on in place of the pipe. The other end of the hose is directed to the drain hole.
3. Next, the valve is unscrewed, which protects the water supply mechanism, a special drain valve opens.
4. Now it's time to turn on the hot water faucet on the boiler and drain the remaining water into the drain hole.
5. The protective cover is removed. The wires inside are disconnected, and the flange is removed. In this case, it is possible to clean the product of accumulated dirt using mechanical methods or special cleaning agents. The procedure should be carried out carefully to avoid damage to the inner layers of the boiler tank. If necessary, at the same time, the replacement of the magnesium anode begins.
6. The water heater is assembled in the reverse order.

In some boilers, especially flat ones, there is a third outlet, which is closed with a plug. In this case, when the cold water hose is disconnected from the water heater, this plug must also be unscrewed. Then just unscrew the nut on the hot water supply. In this way, you can reduce the speed of draining water from the boiler.

Possible nuances in the work

How to drain water from a boiler at home was described above. But do not forget that each process has its own characteristics. That is why you should remember the following nuances:

• cold water supply is carried out in full;
• it is imperative to ensure that the process of air outflow is carried out at a strictly allotted moment;
• on the safety valve there is a special mount, which experts call the flag. A Phillips screwdriver will allow you to do this process. The flag released from fastening is raised to the upper position. It is recommended at this moment to substitute a container to collect the flowing water from the water heater;
• if the process of draining the water heater is rare, then the best option is to install a special tee.

In any case, when carrying out the procedure for draining water, it is necessary to turn off the flow of cold liquid to the device, turn off the electricity and drain the hot liquid from the boiler tank. Only in such a simple way can you learn how to drain water from a boiler.

How to drain water from a water heater with different types of connection?

How fast and simple this process will be depends on how the heating device is connected.Consider several options for joining and the algorithm of your actions in each of them.

For work you may need:

• Wrench.
• Hose for draining water.
• Large basin or bucket.

The standard type of connection is not in vain recommended by manufacturers. It is with this method to drain the water from the tank - as easy as shelling pears. The diagram shows all the connections, in particular, it can be seen that a tee with a tap is installed between the tank and the safety valve (see figure under number 4).

1. Boiler.
2. Shut-off valve for the plumbing system.
3. Safety valve.
4. Valve for draining liquid from the tank.
5. Hot water faucet in the mixer.
6. Cold water faucet.
7. The mixer itself.
8. Stop valve.

Process description:

1. We disconnect the device from the mains.
2. We close the valve for supplying cold water to the boiler (in the figure at number 2).
3. Open the tap with hot water and lower it from the tank. We leave the valve open to relieve pressure in the tank.
4. We open the tap on the tee, after putting a hose on it. We are waiting for the water to flow out.
5. Now turn off the valve at the outlet of the heater (in the figure under the number and close the mixer valve.

That's it - now your water heater is empty. Sometimes small adjustments are made to the standard connection scheme. For example, a shut-off valve is not installed at the outlet of the boiler or an additional valve is installed on the hot water pipe to allow air to enter the tank.

In the first case, the algorithm of actions remains the same, but you only need to keep in mind that in the absence of a shut-off valve at the outlet of the tank, you cannot use the water supply until you complete all the work.

In the second - after the third step in the description of the process, you need to open this valve.

A simplified type of connection can please the consumer with a quick installation of the water heater immediately after purchase. However, this joy will last exactly until the moment when you suddenly need to drain the water from the tank. Installers from companies sin in this way of connection: for them it is fast, for the owner of the boiler it is cheap.

With this method of connecting the water heater, the algorithm for draining water from the tank will differ from the previous one due to the fact that the unfortunate specialists who connected the device did not take care of installing the drain valve.

Process description:

1. We turn off the device.
2. We turn off the liquid supply valve to the boiler, if at least it is installed. If not - a common riser in the apartment.
   We open the hot tap on the mixer: we release the water and the pressure in the tank.
3. We substitute some container and unscrew the flexible hose to exit the hot liquid from the tank - an adjustable wrench will help you. We wait until water drains from it - usually there is not much of it.
4. We unscrew the flexible cold water supply hose and open the lever on the safety valve. We are waiting for the water to drain.

The drain time directly depends on the volume of the tank. For example, a container of 80 liters will go down for at least an hour.

It happens that the safety valve is mounted without a lever. Then the process of draining water turns into an operation that requires the intervention of third parties.

One person, of course, can show the wonders of acrobatics by holding a bucket or basin with water flowing into it and at the same time, using improvised means, pressing a spring in a safety tank.

But it’s better to play it safe and invite a friend to help: talking and two hours will pass faster and there will be someone to discuss the craftsmen-installers with.

In this video you can see how to quickly and easily drain water from the Ariston boiler:

These are the steps you will have to take in order to free the storage tank from the liquid. In principle, nothing complicated when the boiler is installed correctly, and if not, then you now understand that in some matters savings can be not only inappropriate, but even harmful.

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.