How to drain water from a water heater: the pros and cons of different methods + an example of work

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 .

How to clean?

heating element

Before you start cleaning the boiler, you need to unplug it and allow the water to cool down. If the water heater was connected correctly, then cleaning problems should not arise.

You are lucky if the boiler is installed above the bath, because it does not have to be removed.

In this case, cleaning can be done on the spot:

1. It is necessary to turn off all the taps that supply water.
2. To drain the water, you need to wind the shower hose. This will prevent water from splashing and help direct it to the tub drain. However, this is not necessary.
3. We unscrew the fastening screw with a screwdriver and a protective plastic casing.
4. Remove the protective cover.
5. We take out the wires after unscrewing the screws.
6. Make sure all fluid is drained from the tank.
7. Gradually unscrew the nuts using a wrench.
8. Carefully pull out the heating element (heater). It can have a lot of rust, sand and debris.
9. We remove all garbage. As for scale, it can be removed with Coca-Cola.
10. We wash the heating tank from dirt.

How to completely drain the water from the storage tank

Before draining the water, read the instruction manual, manufacturers offer the best option for equipment. But if there is a situation that the proposed method is not available, you can use other methods.

It is important that if the equipment is new and under warranty, do not carry out the procedure yourself, this should be done by specialists from the service center, otherwise the warranty may be void. Before draining, it is necessary to disconnect the boiler from electricity, close the taps on the water supply hoses and let the tank cool down.

Before draining, it is necessary to disconnect the boiler from electricity, close the taps on the water supply hoses and let the tank cool down.

Even if the storage water heater - boiler - is used all year round, it still needs to be cleaned periodically.

Step-by-step instructions for different ways titan havoc:

1. Drain through the safety valve.

1.1. Prepare the necessary containers for draining, for convenience, you can connect a drain hose to the valve.

1.2. The valve is located on the cold water hose, at the entrance to the boiler and is specially designed to drain fluid in emergency situations.

1.3. When opening the faucet, water should appear on the valve in a few seconds.

1.4. If the drain does not occur, then you need to use another way to empty the tank, and the valve must be cleaned or replaced.

Proper installation of the water heater requires the presence of a drain safety valve.

2. How to drain through the cold water inlet.

2.1. Shut off both water supply taps.

2.2 Place a container of suitable capacity under the cold water outlet.

2.3. Using an adjustable wrench, unscrew the nut, water will not flow immediately.

2.4. Slightly open the tap with hot water, the liquid will begin to drain, adjust the pressure with the tap.

This method is more complicated and will require the willingness to pick up an adjustable wrench to unscrew some of the nuts in the boiler connection system.

3. Drainage through inlet and outlet hoses.

3.1. It is impossible to regulate the drain pressure with this method, therefore it is necessary to take care of the liquid bath in an equal volume with the water heater.

3.2. Using an adjustable wrench, unscrew the nut securing the cold water hose.

3.3. Unscrew the nut for hot water.

3.4. The liquid spontaneously pours out.

This method of draining water from the boiler is the most out of control. It will be impossible to regulate the flow of water during draining, stop it or weaken it if necessary.

The volume of drained liquid directly depends on the water heater tank.

The main thing is not to flood the floor and the neighbors from below, take care of the water tank in advance, no matter how you do it.

4. Elimination of residual moisture from the water heater.

The design of the tank does not allow to completely drain the liquid, part of the water remains at the bottom, so it is necessary to disassemble the equipment.

4.1 Remove the lower protective cover from the water heater.

4.2.Disconnect the power cords and wires from the signal lamp.

4.3. Anti-clockwise, loosen the flange connection and the heating element nuts.

4.4. When loosening the connecting fasteners, water will come out into the gap formed.

4.5. Unscrew the fasteners completely, and carefully remove the heating elements from the tank.

In order to completely drain everything to the last drop, it is necessary to disassemble the storage tank.

After all the procedures, you can begin to eliminate the cause, due to which it was necessary to drain the liquid.

These methods do not take much time and do not require special skills, but if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call a specialist.

Complex heating devices should not be disassembled on their own to completely drain the water, so as not to disable them by incorrect actions.

We drain the water from the water heater manufactured by Ariston

When stopping the operation of the ARISTON instantaneous storage water heater for a long time, it is recommended to completely drain the water from the water heater tank. To completely drain the water from the tank, you need to unscrew the plug located at the top of the mixer with a key.

You will need:

• adjustable wrench or wrenches, 24 mm and 32 mm
• hexagon 4 mm
• straight screwdriver.

Sequence of steps:

1. Close the mixer tap and the water supply tap.
2. We unscrew the shower hose and the safety valve of the outlet pipe.
3. We unscrew the hose supplying water and direct it into the container. If there is a check valve at the inlet, then twist it too. Water will flow out of the inlet pipe.
4. We unscrew the two plastic nuts of the outlet and inlet pipes.
5. We remove the cap of the mixer handle, then unscrew the screw, remove the handle and the plastic gaskets around it.
6. We disconnect the body of the water heater from the tank, towards the mixer, without removing it completely.
7. Using a hexagon, we unscrew the metal plug of the upper part of the mixer.
8. Completely drain the water from the hole where the plug was.

The body of the water heater is best placed in a vertical position. Mixer valve must be open. The procedure will take approximately 20 minutes.

How to drain the contents of the tank

Draining water through the drain hole

In order for water to start flowing out of the tank, it should be replaced with air. Manufacturers producing boilers have solved this problem in different ways.

Through the drain hose

The well-known designer of household heaters, Stiebel, installed several additional components in the boiler, including a drain valve on the tank. It is located at the bottom, has a branch pipe and a lever valve. The instructions indicate how to turn off the Stiebel brand boiler and quickly cool the contents of the tank. After that, you need to do the following:

1. Turn off the water in the apartment.
2. Connect the hose 1/2 degree to the fitting and direct it into the toilet if the drain hose is not connected to the low tide.
3. Open a hot water tap.
4. Turn the handle and drain everything down the drain.

The latest models of Polaris Boilers with a capacity of 80 liters or more have a similar drain valve. Atlantika plans to install an emergency faucet to drain the water quickly.

Through the cold water hole

A number of manufacturers of storage type water heaters have developed the release of excess water when the pressure exceeds the norm. These are boilers of the brand:

• Electrolux;
• Polaris;
• Atlantic;
• Ariston.

Draining is done through a cold water pipe. Sequencing:

1. Disconnect the water heater from the power supply.
2. Let him cool down. If there is no time to wait a few days, turn on the hot water and drain it until warm water comes out.
3. Close the valve at the inlet of the water supply to the apartment.
4. Loosen check valve nut.
5. Disconnect the cold water connection. The contents of the boiler will flow through it.
6. Open the hot water tap closest to the boiler. On it in the opposite direction, air will begin to flow into the water heater and water will flow from the tank. The force of the flow can be adjusted with a tap.
7. When all the liquid drains, unscrew the heating element and drain the residue with sediment.

Next to the tubular heating element, a magnesium anode is installed in the water-heating tank. It attracts all salts and other impurities to itself. As a result, the walls of the tank remain clean. Sediment collects at the bottom. When draining, you must simultaneously clean the anode, check its condition. All sediment should be removed from the bottom. Clean the heater from scale, if it is on its tubes.

Removing the heating element

Dismantling the heating element of the boiler

The Russian market mainly receives water heaters from the international company Termex, assembled in China. Their quality corresponds to the price. It is possible to drain the contents from the tank only through the hole for the heating element:

1. Disconnect the boiler from the power supply and leave to cool.
2. Substitute a large container.
3. Remove thermostat.
4. Unscrew the 5 screws on the round cover holding the heating element.
5. Pull out the heating element.

The flow is strong. You can reduce it by returning the ring on which the heater stands. It is necessary to prepare containers in advance according to the volume of the tank. Draining in this way is more convenient for two people.

For a quick drain, you can unscrew both hoses that supply and remove water. The flow is difficult to control, only close one hole manually.

The cold water tube is located at the bottom, but above the bottom. When draining through it, 1.5 - 2% of the liquid of the total volume remains in the tank.It can only be drained through the opening for the heating elements.

How to drain water from radiators

Radiator

With the onset of October, the temperature, both on the street and in the apartments, gradually decreases. Each of us thinks: "the main thing is to hold out until the start of the heating season." However, the situation does not change from year to year. The media announce that the heating was put into the house right on time and without delay, but many of the batteries remain cold. It’s even more disappointing when heat still reaches neighboring apartments, but not yours.

The reason for this unpleasant situation is the formation of air jams along the "riser". These plugs clog batteries on different floors of the building and lead to the fact that hot water, which carries the long-awaited heat, cannot break through them. There are several ways to solve this problem, which I would like to consider below.

Solutions to the problem

The best option is to leave an application to the Municipal Unitary Enterprise or the HOA and wait for the locksmiths. However, the wait can take up to several weeks. Many people want to solve this issue as quickly as possible, so they are independently engaged in heat transfer to the apartment.

Advantages and disadvantages of self-draining water

The main disadvantages are the following:

Damage to battery drain mechanisms

As a rule, any equipment tends to “age”, and those that are associated with water also coke over time. If you open the drain mechanisms of the battery, release the air and drain the water on your own, then you may not be able to close them. And this can lead to flooding of the neighbors, and, of course, the heating will be lost throughout the entire entrance until the malfunction is eliminated.

Loss of water pressure in batteries

The main advantage of self-cleaning batteries is that heating is brought to the apartment more quickly, because you do not have to wait for locksmiths.

Work order

1. It is good if all batteries have a Mayevsky tap (valve) and two shut-off valves. Otherwise, you will have to invite locksmiths to avoid unpleasant consequences.

   It is recommended to release air and drain water from the battery in the following sequence:

2. Open battery isolation valves. They are considered open when their handle is located along the pipes through which water enters and drains.

3. Open the crane (valve) Mayevsky, located in the upper cap of the battery.

4. Wait for water to flow through the Mayevsky tap. Water will flow as soon as all the air has been expelled through this valve.
5. Drain water until an even flow is achieved. When there are no more air bubbles left in it, this will indicate the elimination of the air lock.
6. Close the Mayevsky valve.
7. Adjust the heating of the battery with shut-off valves, providing the necessary heating to the room.

It should be noted:

It is recommended to drain the water from the battery yourself only if you are confident in the reliability of the equipment and in your own abilities. Otherwise, the water circulating in the heating system will only bring trouble. The safest option is to invite the specialists of the service organization and transfer this "headache" on their shoulders.

How to remove residual water

Regardless of how the water is drained from the water heater, it will not work to remove it completely and without residue. This is due to the design features of the boiler tank.

To remove everything to the drop, you will have to almost completely disassemble the unit, clean the internal surface, troubleshoot, and then either mothball the system until the next use or reassemble the unit, return it to its place and continue operation as usual.

Rules for the complete emptying of the boiler

It is necessary to drain the bulk of the water using one of the most convenient methods described above. Carefully unscrew the decorative cap located at the bottom of the tank.

Holding it with your fingers, carefully disconnect the wires holding the signal lamp to the surface. Then also remove the electrical wires, after remembering their exact location

In the case when it is required to completely disassemble the boiler, special attention must be paid to the placement of connecting and electrical wires. In order not to confuse anything later, it is advisable to photograph their current position and only then proceed with dismantling. Then slowly and counterclockwise unscrew the flange serving as a support for the heating element.

Delicately loosen the nuts of the structure and allow the remaining water to flow out of the boiler tank. At the end, completely unscrew the nuts and remove the flange. Very slowly remove the heating element from the recess, trying not to damage either the surface of the tank or the part itself

Then slowly and counterclockwise unscrew the flange serving as a support for the heating element. Delicately loosen the nuts of the structure and allow the remaining water to flow out of the boiler tank. At the end, completely unscrew the nuts and remove the flange.Very slowly remove the heating element from the recess, trying not to damage either the surface of the tank or the part itself.

If the heating element cannot be removed immediately, it means that it is covered with a thick layer of scale

In order not to deform it in the process of taking it out, you need to gently rock the part from right to left, carefully pulling it up in parallel. Pour out the remaining drops of water from the boiler, clean the surface, and then reassemble the unit, mount it in the communication system and start using it in standard mode

Pour out the remaining drops of water from the boiler, clean the surface, and then reassemble the unit, mount it in the communication system and start using it in standard mode.

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.

The principle of operation of an electric boiler

To understand the technology, how to drain water, you need to carefully study the instructions supplied by the manufacturer, find out the basic principle of operation and design features of the device.

The water heater is a container in the form of a tank made of stainless or ordinary steel with an enamel coating. Two tubes, a thermal electric heater and an air vent are connected to this tank.To preserve heat, the tank is insulated with a heat-insulating layer, and the main body of the equipment is installed on top of it. For automatic operation of the device, it is equipped with a thermostat.

In models of small capacity boilers, the top water supply is often provided, and the presence of a drain hole is not planned. In order to completely drain the water from them, the equipment will need to be removed and turned over.

Therefore, paying attention to boilers of small volumes, you need to immediately look for more convenient models in case of draining.

In the presence of a drain hole, it is also problematic to drain water from some boilers. If you block the access of cold water to the tank and open the tap to release hot water, then only part of the water will come out of the boiler to a certain level, which is located at the level of the top point of the hot water supply pipe. To completely get rid of water, it is necessary to create conditions for air access inside the tank. Therefore, to ensure proper draining in such structures, it is necessary to equip the boiler inlet and outlet with tees with taps in advance.

When to drain the water heater

Manufacturers do not recommend draining water from a water heater unnecessarily. Air entering the tank contributes to the oxidation of metal parts. Corrosion damages the heating element and tank walls.

Water heater heating element corroded

This may cause heating element leak or breakdown. There are a number of cases in which it is impossible to do without emptying:

1. Preparing the system for low ambient temperatures. Irregular use of the boiler in the winter season can lead to freezing and depressurization of the system.
2. Repair.The failure of the heating element requires its replacement. To dismantle the heating element, the storage boiler must be emptied.
3. Surface cleaning. In the process of heating, plaque settles on internal surfaces and parts. It interferes with normal heating, which leads to increased power consumption. Restoring performance requires cleaning surfaces.
4. Replacing the magnesium anode. The procedure is carried out simultaneously with the cleaning of the surface.
5. Modernization of piping and replacement of pipeline elements. Installing new water heater piping requires emptying it.

The owner of the house or apartment independently determines whether it is necessary to drain the water from the water heater. The main thing is to comply with safety requirements. Before starting work, make sure that the container has cooled down. Also, do not leave it empty longer than necessary.

Have you drained the water from the storage boiler yourself? How is your boiler piping arranged?

The video will help you easily drain the water from the boiler:

Drain the water heater

Simply opening hot water on the mixer and emptying the boiler will not work due to the fact that when water is consumed, the tank is simultaneously filled. Cold water pushes hot water out - that's how it works. It would seem that it is enough to turn off the tap at the inlet so that the boiler does not fill up, but no. Everything is a little more complicated.

Illustration: Artyom Kozoriz / Lifehacker

The hot water intake pipe is located at the very top of the tank, since the liquid rises when heated. The supply fitting, on the contrary, is located at the bottom - so the layers of water do not mix.Therefore, when the supply is blocked, no more than a liter will merge from the mixer.

The water can only be completely drained through the supply pipe. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure the flow of air into the tank so that a vacuum is not created there and the water drains. Depending on the type of connection, this is done in different ways: from simply opening a tap to removing fittings.

Connection with two tees

The most convenient scheme for draining. Thanks to the taps installed on the tees, it allows air to enter the tank and quickly empty it.

• Make sure that the inlet and outlet taps from the boiler are closed. If they are not there, close the valves on the risers of cold and hot water supply.
• Attach the hose to the drain tap on the tee at the water heater inlet and lower it into a basin, bucket or toilet. Open the faucet.
• Now open the tap on the tee at the exit from the boiler.
• Drain all or part of the water. If you need to pause, turn off the tap at the water heater inlet and the water will stop flowing.

Connection with one tee

Not the worst connection option, which is still inferior in terms of convenience to the previous one. A tee with a tap is installed only at the inlet, so to drain it, you will have to let air into the tank through a mixer or by removing the pipe from the outlet fitting.

Illustration: Artyom Kozoriz / Lifehacker

There is a variation of such a scheme without a tap at the outlet of the boiler. In fact, it is no different: air is let in in the same ways.

• Check that the taps at the inlet and outlet of the water heater are closed. In their absence, close the valves on the cold water and hot water risers.
• Connect the hose to the drain cock and lower it into a bucket or basin. Open the faucet.
• On the nearest mixer, turn on hot water and wait until all or the right amount has drained.
• If the water flows poorly or does not flow at all, it means that air is supplied weakly through the mixer. In this case, remove the hose at the outlet fitting.
• To stop the water, you can turn off the drain cock or simply close the outlet with your finger.

Connection without tees

The most inconvenient piping scheme is when the water heater is connected directly without tees and taps. We only have a safety valve with a drain outlet. Through it, albeit slowly, but you can also drain the water. In extreme cases, the valve can be easily removed, and then the flow will be much greater.

• Make sure that the water in the cold and hot water risers is shut off.
• Close the tap at the boiler inlet and turn on hot water at the nearest mixer.
• Put a hose on the valve spout and lower it into a bucket or basin. Raise the valve flag.
• If the water drains very slowly or does not flow at all, remove the hose from the outlet fitting of the boiler to allow air to flow.
• If there is no flag on the valve or the water is still weak, disconnect the supply hose from the valve and insert a thin screwdriver into its body. This will lift the spring blocking the reverse flow of water, and the jet will increase significantly.
• To speed up the drain, you can simply remove the valve to completely free the inlet fitting of the water heater.

Why drain the water heater?

If the boiler is located in a rural or suburban area, and the water comes from a well, then during a long “idle”, harmful bacteria often appear inside. As a result, an unpleasant smell from hot water spreads.

This often happens when owners set the heating temperature to about 45 degrees.Basically, it is possible to kill the smell of rotten eggs by setting the temperature to the maximum.

If the goal is not achieved, then it is required to “boil” the boiler 4-5 times. There are situations when this method does not give the expected result. Therefore, in such cases, it is recommended to drain the water heater completely, or once every couple of months, heat the water inside it to the limit.

There are certain models of boilers that must be drained and that must be disassembled. They have unusual tenami. The shell is made of thin copper, and in the process of oxidation, it shrinks even more. As a result, a “tear” on the body and subsequent disassembly. In theory, boilers are not subject to draining during idle time, but many experts still recommend doing this.

In case of difficulties, the device must be taken to a service center for repair. If the boiler is located in a poorly heated room where the average temperature is below +2 degrees, it must be emptied, otherwise the water may turn into ice and cause damage to the appliance.

Water is drained without fail when buying a new appliance, in the process of dismantling an old one, as well as in case of special circumstances of residents, for example, when moving or overhauling a room, when the water heater needs to be de-energized from the water pipe or moved.

When is it not necessary to drain the water?

There are situations when the use of the boiler occurs irregularly: in the summer or in cases where there is no centralized supply of hot water. Then experts advise draining the water from the device only in case of repair or replacement. If water is not used, then draining is not recommended.This can lead to the breakdown of the entire system.

You should not be afraid that the water may deteriorate inside. In the case of its long-term storage, it is passed through the tap, and then a new batch is ready for use.

Many manufacturers do not recommend draining the water from the boiler. They argue that without water, tank corrosion occurs much faster.

A change in the internal environment dramatically affects the material, accelerating oxidation. In the case when the device has a warranty card, if it is broken, then nothing needs to be done. The masters themselves will be able to eliminate the problems that have arisen with the operation of the water heater. In general, the repair of boilers takes place on the spot.

Why can't you drain the water through the faucet

If you turn off the home water supply and fully open the “hot” valve of the mixer, then a maximum of a liter and a half will flow out of the tap, the tank will remain full. To understand the reasons for what is happening and subsequently properly drain the water from the heating tank, briefly familiarize yourself with its device and the principle of operation:

1. The intake of heated water is provided from the upper zone of the tank - there the end of the tube is located. The supply from the water supply is organized in the lower part of the boiler.

Sectional diagram of an electric heating tank

A poppet-type check valve is installed at the inlet of the cold water supply pipe (CWS), which prevents water from flowing back into the main. It also relieves excess pressure arising from heating and expansion of the liquid.
When you use the storage heater (turn on the DHW tap of the mixer), water flows out of the tank under the pressure of the main cold water pipe.
Without pressure from the line, the system does not work - the water itself does not flow from the tank.Through the tap of the mixer, only a small part of the liquid that was above the intake tube can be released.

Preliminary conclusion. There is no other option than to drain the water from the boiler through the "cold" pipe, since it is located near the bottom of the tank. The method of draining depends on the piping of the water heater; in some cases, the pipe connections will have to be disassembled a little.

Finally

Periodic draining of water from the underfloor heating system is necessary. The frequency of this operation depends on the intensity of use of the heating system and the quality of the water. In regions with hard water, which also contains a lot of suspended impurities, it is necessary to drain the water from the heating circuit at least once a year.

Replacing the water in the heating pipeline does not require financial costs (except for the possible payment for renting a compressor), therefore it is better to carry out this manipulation regularly, thus extending the time of trouble-free operation of the water circuits.

When using antifreezes, the procedure for draining the coolant is carried out much less frequently - once every 3-5 years, but with increased safety measures - ethylene glycol, used for the manufacture of non-freezing liquids, and its vapors are toxic substances that require the use of personal protective equipment (overalls, gloves, goggles, ventilation) and room ventilation.

Drainage of water from the heating system is mandatory when carrying out repairs in private or multi-apartment housing. It is quite possible to carry out the operation on your own if the fittings are correctly installed and there are no serious damages.