Turn off the water supply and power to your hot water system. Open the pressure relief valve. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and open it to let the water drain out. Flushing your system regularly prevents sediment buildup and corrosion.
An annual flush of your hot water system removes sediment and corrosion, boosting efficiency and extending its lifespan. Strathfield Plumbing advises on scheduling maintenance once per year to reinforce optimal performance.
Annual draining and flushing of your water heater remove mineral deposits, imperative for gas systems. Sediment at the tank’s base acts as insulation, hindering efficient heating and leading to increased energy expenditure.
Proper hot water heater maintenance, including periodically scheduling a drain hot water service, can power water savings in households by reducing energy consumption by up to 21%. Keeping your system sediment-free enhances flow, maintains temperature consistency, and prevents premature failure.
For essential maintenance, engage a plumber to perform a drain tank service. Call Strathfield Plumbing on 1300 349 338 to book annual maintenance or if you experience any hot water issues. Our licensed plumber team service all brands and provide a thorough drain flush and refilling for optimal performance.
Following Strathfield Plumbing advice, it’s good practice to drain your hot water system annually to clear sediment accumulation affecting efficiency. Areas with hard water should drain more frequently, potentially every 6 months.
Regular maintenance is crucial for removing mineral-induced sediment build-up that can lead to insulation and overheating. Draining your tank once per year is vital for maintaining performance and could save you up to 21% on hot water energy bills.
Schedule a flush your hot water service every 12 months by calling our team on 1300 349 338 to book an appointment. We service all brands of water tanks, including tankless models, and offer comprehensive draining, flushing and refilling.
Before draining your hot water system, gather the necessary tools and take important safety precautions.
You’ll need:
Safety first:
Protecting your home from potential water damage is essential. Run the hose to a safe drainage area like your lawn, checking the end hose fits securely into the drain valve to prevent leaks.
With tools, protective gear and drainage set-up ready, begin draining your hot water system. Take care when opening valves and monitor the flow of water as the tank empties.
For guidance on how to drain water from your system or assistance with maintenance, call our team at Strathfield Plumbing on 1300 349 338. Our licensed technicians understand how to drain water, flush and refill your system for optimal performance.
Finding the drain valve is the first crucial step in emptying your electric water system. The drain valve allows water to be released from the tank and is typically located at the bottom of your electric, gas, and solar water heaters.
On a standard electric or gas storage tank water heater, you’ll find the drain valve towards the bottom of the tank. It resembles a hot tap similar to those outdoors and will have a threaded nozzle for your hose attachment.
For heat pump and continuous flow systems, check the owner’s manual. Drain valves may be placed in different locations or have alternative opening mechanisms on these units.
Exercise caution when letting water out your tank through the drain valves. Place a bucket underneath to catch any splashes and safely drain out the water. Keep an eye on the flow rate and watch the water discharge into your bucket as the tank steadily empties.
Open the valve slowly and firmly to start the water drain, ensuring connections are secure to prevent leaks.
If you have any uncertainty locating components on your hot water system, contact our team at Strathfield Plumbing on 1300 349 338. We’re experienced in all brands and models, so can safely locate the valve and carry out professional draining.
Ensure safety by turning off the heater’s cold water supply and power source before draining the tank. This critical safety step prevents scalding injuries or other hazards.
To halt the water flow, locate the cold water valve at the top and make sure the water heater is completely turned off. This turn off cold water and stops new water from entering during draining.
Switch off the power at the main switchboard by turning off the circuit breaker or unplugging the electric cord before stopping the water supply into tank systems. For gas water heaters, rotate the control valve to switch off gas and ensure the supply is disconnected during maintenance.
With both water and power securely switched off, you can confidently turn cold water off at the supply and proceed with draining your tank. Be cautious when reopening valves to turn the hot water supply back on after refilling the tank.
For guidance on how to do it, if you need assistance turning off water and power or have any uncertainties, call our professionals at Strathfield Plumbing on 1300 349 338. We service all brands and provide end-to-end hot water heater maintenance.
Draining your hot water system is straightforward, yet prioritizing safety is essential.
Start by turning off the water supply and power source as outlined earlier, making sure the valve open process is approached with caution. Ensure your garden hose is securely fastened to the drain valve outlet before proceeding to slowly open it and drain hot contents. Position your bucket to catch the flow from the tap water outlet.
As the hot water runs out, you can observe sediment and mineral build-up draining first, indicated by the discoloured water. Continue the process until water runs clear and no longer contains any visible sediment. Be careful with any remaining hot water.
Detach your hose and attach it to another tap to allow fresh, cool water to flow through. Place the hose back in the drain valve and allow clean water to flow through the system for 3-5 minutes to flush remaining sediment.
Inspect the clarity of the flush water to assess the effectiveness of the sediment removal. Repeating the process until the water runs clear removes stubborn deposits. Take care as pressure changes may initially cause surges.
Once thoroughly flushed, firmly open drain to prevent any remaining water and disconnect all hoses. Turn off cold water and power supply back on. Refill and heat tanks following manufacturer guidance before use.
For a detailed water heater flush by professionals, contact Strathfield Plumbing’s licensed team at 1300 349 338. We service all hot water system types and provide maintenance to optimise efficiency.
After learning how flush your hot water system, the final step is to close off drain valve securely before refilling the tank and restoring power.
Once finished, close the drain securely and gradually reopen the cold water inlet valve. Check connections for leaks to allow air to escape as pressure builds and water enters the tank again. Initially, expect air to spurt out as normal.
Refill the tank until hot water faucets release clear, sediment-free water. This step guarantees that all air is expelled from your pipes, ensuring a smooth flow. Running taps also helps understand how flush hot water systems remove remaining sediment.
Once full, turn off the taps and restore power to the water heating source. For electric systems, turn the circuit breaker back on. For gas systems, rotate the gas valve to turn back on and relight the pilot light if required.
Avoid turning power on before the tank has adequately refilled, as the heater can be damaged with low water levels. "Dry firing" the heating elements with low water levels can cause damage your tank can sustain.
Refilled and powered, your hot water system can now safely resume normal operation. Carry out annual draining and flushing to maximise energy efficiency and longevity.
If you require professional assistance with refilling or maintenance, contact our team at Strathfield Plumbing on 1300 349 338. We service a wide array of hot water systems, not just in Sydney but also on the Gold Coast.
Draining tankless and storage water heaters involves slightly different processes due to their unique designs.
Storage heaters have a drain valve at the tank’s base for releasing water. Tankless systems, which don’t store water but heat it on demand like a tap, require a different draining approach.
To drain a tankless unit, Shut the inlet valves and open the water tap to ensure the heat exchanger and pipes drain completely. Catch water in a bucket before carefully disconnecting inlet and outlet connections to fully drain the system.
Storage heaters should be drained annually to remove sediment. Tankless heaters may need draining every few years or less, depending on usage and routine maintenance. Descaling solution can also help clean tankless heat exchangers.
For specialised assistance maintaining any hot water system, contact Strathfield Plumbing on 1300 349 338. Our licenced technicians service all brands and provide draining, flushing and refilling to optimise efficiency.
Use the draining process as a chance to conduct essential maintenance checks:
The licenced technicians at Strathfield Plumbing examine all these aspects during professional draining. We can also replace anode rods, flush heat exchangers and descale piping when servicing your hot water system.
Don’t hesitate to call our team on 1300 349 338 for maintenance checks while draining or if you are unsure what you can do carrying out this task yourself. We help extend system life across all brands.
Though draining your hot water system may appear challenging, it is vital for maintaining efficiency and longevity. At Strathfield Plumbing, our licenced technicians can professionally drain, flush hot water systems and refill your system.
Annual flush services prevent sediment buildup, corrosion, inspect components, and ensure peak performance. Our services cover everything from safely shutting off water and power to refilling the tank.
With over 10 years of experience, we know exactly how do flush hot water systems for all storage and tankless water heaters. Our methodical process ensures safe operation and identifies potential issues to prevent future costly repairs.
Avoid the risk of improperly draining your system by enlisting professional help - call Strathfield Plumbing on 1300 349 338 or email jobs@strathfieldplumbingservices.com.au to book your appointment. Proper maintenance of your hot water heater enhances efficiency and can lead to energy bill savings of up to 21% annually.
Consumers can protect their homes by staying informed on gas appliance and product recalls. Check sites like ACCC and Energy Safe Victoria for the latest alerts. Have any potentially dangerous gas appliances or components installed, repaired and serviced by our licensed professionals to ensure safety.
Read MoreThe most common issues with hot water systems include no hot water, not enough hot water, water temperature too hot or too cold, noisy systems and leaks. Problems typically stem from faulty pilot lights, heating elements, thermostats or mineral buildup. We can help diagnose and repair your hot water system.
Read MoreTurn off the water supply and power to your hot water system. Open the pressure relief valve. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and open it to let the water drain out. Flushing your system regularly prevents sediment buildup and corrosion.
Read MoreStrathfield, 2135 NSW
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