Draining your water heater is one of those home maintenance tasks that is vitally important but easy to overlook. The good news is that draining your water heater in Midlothian isn’t terribly difficult or time-consuming. To help yourself remember, though, it is a good idea to schedule a reminder on your phone, or write it down on your calendar. Otherwise, the “out of sight, out of mind” nature of your water heater will likely cause it to get overlooked. Once the big day arrives, here are a few tips from Daniel's Heating & Refrigeration Corp. to help make the process easier.
Keep Some Towels Handy
When draining your water heater, the question is not “if” you’ll have a leak, but “when” that leak will occur. Whether there is a leak because the drain valve won’t close all the way when you’re done or because your hose isn’t connected all the way, there’s bound to be at least a small amount of water that you’ll need to absorb. Having towels handy before you start will help prevent a lot of rushing around.
Stop the Vacuum
Since a water heater from Daniel's Heating & Refrigeration Corp. is a closed system, it typically operates under a vacuum. This means that air pressure won’t naturally come into the tank to push the water out. That’s why you’ll need to disconnect the hot water pipe from the top of the water heater so that air can come into the tank. Don’t forget to re-attach this pipe before you turn the water back on.
Always Turn Off the Power
A dry water heater that is producing heat is a recipe for disaster. Since a water heater has to create a large amount of heat, the materials in a dry tank will quickly overheat, causing metal failure and potential burns for you and anyone around you. Therefore, make sure you understand how to cut the power supply to your water heater before you begin to drain the tank.
Taking Care of Your Water Heater Needs
At Daniel's Heating & Refrigeration Corp., we’re prepared to take care of any water heater needs that you might have. Whether you need a new water heater installed or you need your current water heater repaired or maintained, we can take care of you. We also provide installation, repair, and maintenance services for furnaces and air conditioners around Midlothian. Trusted for over 60 years, the pros at Daniel's Heating & Refrigeration Corp. have got what it takes to keep you happy and comfortable. To learn more about water heater maintenance, contact us at Daniel's Heating & Refrigeration Corp. today.
