Как слить воду из водонагревателя, если нет сливного крана

Как слить воду из водонагревателя

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Причин, когда может потребоваться слить воду из водонагревателя хватает. Банальное обслуживание или необходимость замены нагревательного тэна например, или какие-либо другие проблемы, связанные с работой устройства.

И всё бы хорошо, но вот отсутствие сливного крана, может серьёзно затруднить слив воды из водонагревателя. Ну а о том, как всё же добиться своего и полностью слить воду несколькими способами, читайте ниже.

Как слить воду из водонагревателя

Итак, сливать воду из водонагревателя приходится по нескольким причинам, например:

1. Когда помещение где установлен водонагреватель не планируется отапливать. В таком случае, конечно же, на зиму приходится сливать воду, как с бойлера, так и с системы отопления, если в ней, конечно же, не залит антифриз. О том, какой выбрать теплоноситель для отопления можно прочитать в прошлых статьях журнала САМаСТРОЙКА.

2. Если нужно провести ревизию водонагревателя или заменить в нём нагревательные элементы. В данном случае без слива воды с бойлера также не обойтись.

3. Ну и при поломках, когда вода из бойлера бьёт током или существует течь в корпусе.

В принципе, слить воду из водонагревателя просто, главное чтобы было открыто второе отверстие для воздуха. Порой вода не сливается с бойлера именно по той причине, что отсутствует отверстие для подсоса воздуха.

Как сливать воду с бойлера Электролюкс, Аристон или Гарантерм

Ну вот, как было сказано выше, рассмотрим несколько основных способов как слить воду из таких популярных водонагревателей как Аристон или Электролюкс например.

Первое, через патрубки и тройники. Для этого достаточно будет закрыть подачу воды на входе, после чего открыть сливной кран, расположенный между обратным клапаном и выходным патрубком воды.

Второе, используя сбросной клапан, также можно слить практически всю воду с водонагревателя. Однако здесь нужно учитывать тот факт, о котором было упомянуто выше. И если вода не будет сливаться с бойлера, то стоит открыть смеситель горячей воды в ближайшем санузле или ванной комнате.

Чтобы не бегать туда сюда с вёдрами или не держать ёмкости на весу, к сбросному клапану бойлера следует подключить длинный шланг. В таком случае сброс воды с бойлера пройдёт быстро и без каких-либо затруднений.

Третий, самый быстрый способ слить воду с бойлера заключается в банальном откручивании гаек на американках и кранах. Если в помещении, где установлен водонагреватель, установлен трап или другое сливное сооружение, то спустить воду не составит особого труда.

При этом не следует забывать о мерах безопасности в том плане, что вода в бойлере может быть горячей. Чтобы не обжечься при её полном сливе с накопителя, рекомендуется проверить температуру. Если температура воды в водонагревателе всё ещё высока, то стоит подождать некоторое время перед сливом, пока она немного остынет.

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Как слить воду с водонагревателя (бойлера)

Сливаем воду из водонагревателя производства Аристон

При прекращении эксплуатации проточно-накопительного водонагревателя ARISTON на длительное время рекомендуется полностью слить воду из бака водонагревателя. Для полного слива воды из бака, нужно открутить ключом заглушку, расположенную в верхней части смесителя.

Вам понадобятся:

• разводной ключ или гаечные ключи, 24 мм и 32 мм
• шестигранник на 4 мм
• прямая отвертка.

Последовательность шагов:

1. Закрываем кран смесителя и кран подачи воды.
2. Откручиваем душевой шланг и предохранительный клапан выходной трубы.
3. Откручиваем шланг, подающий воду, и направляем в емкость. Если на вводе есть обратный клапан, то его тоже скрутить. Из входной трубы вытечет вода.
4. Откручиваем две пластмассовые гайки выходной и входной трубы.
5. Снимаем колпачок ручки смесителя, затем откручиваем винт, снимаем ручку и пластиковые прокладки вокруг нее.
6. Отсоединяем корпус водонагревателя от бака, по направлению к смесителю, не снимая его до конца.
7. При помощи шестигранника выкручиваем металлическую заглушку верхней части смесителя.
8. Полностью сливаем воду из отверстия, где была заглушка.

Корпус водонагревателя лучше поставить в вертикальном положение. Кран смесителя должен быть открытым. Процедура займет порядка 20 минут.

Правила очистки нагревательных элементов и бойлера

После проведения сливной процедуры, независимо по какой причине, рекомендуется очистить внутренние стенки и дно водонагревателя от накипи и отложений.

Чтобы избавиться от запаха застоявшейся воды, следует промыть бойлер.

Основные правила по очистке бойлера и нагревательных элементов:

• Снимите прокладку между фланцевым соединением и баком, вычистите и промойте проточной водой.
• Большие отложения, вычистите со дна бойлера, просунув руку в отверстие.
• Подсоедините шланг подачи холодной воды к выходу горячей и включите подачу из системы.
• Напора в системе достаточно, чтобы смыть мусор и небольшие отложения с внутренних стенок бака.
• Для устранения неприятного запаха из водонагревателя, залейте стакан столового уксуса в пульверизатор, нанесите на внутренние стенки и дайте высохнуть.
• Тэны лучше сначала аккуратно очистить деревянным скребком от больших отложений и замочить в растворе лимонной кислоты, для удаления остатков, на 24 часа.

Приготовление раствора для замачивания: на один литр воды необходимо 200 гр лимонной кислоты.

Перед сборкой, убедитесь, что резиновая прокладка между фланцем и баком целая и не подлежит замене.

Внимательно осматривают ТЭН и магниевый анод, если есть хоть малейшее подозрение, что они повреждены — лучше их заменить.

После очистки внутренних поверхностей и тэнов, конструкцию водонагревателя собирают в обратном порядке. При подаче холодной воды из системы для заполнения бака, проверьте места соединений на герметичность. Налейте немного воды и откройте краны.

Собирают бойлер в обратном порядке и запускают воду.

При подаче холодной воды, необходимо открыть кран на подачу горячей, для вытеснения воздуха из бака. Когда жидкость полностью вытеснит воздух, вода потечет струйкой, значит бак полный.

Когда емкость наполнится, вода через заборную трубку пойдет в систему ГВС, потом потечет из смесителя.

90000 7 Ways to Get the Water Flowing 90001 90002 When your water heater will not drain, the most likely cause is a clogged drain valve. This is generally the result of excessive sediment build-up within the tank. When water is heated, the minerals in the water separate and settle to the bottom of the water heater. If the tank is not drained routinely, the sediment will not only reduce the efficiency of the unit, but it can also clog the drain valve and trap the water within the water heater. 90003 90002 The severity of your clog can vary from a minor inconvenience to a major issue.Left unattended, it will ultimately result in the need to purchase a new water heater since the sediment will break down the inside of your tank and create an unrepairable leak. 90003 90002 90007 7 Methods to Unclog a Drain Valve 90008 90003 90010 Determine if Your Drain Valve is Clogged 90011 90002 The first step is to determine if your drain valve is actually clogged. Follow these steps: 90003 90014 90015 Turn OFF the fuel source to your water heater (90016 Electric: 90017 Turn off the circuit breaker / 90016 Gas: 90017 Turn the on / off control knob to off).90020 90015 Connect a garden hose to the drain valve, and OPEN the valve. 90020 90015 OPEN a hot water faucet inside your house (leave open) to eliminate the negative pressure within the tank. 90020 90015 If the water drains and turns clear, your valve is 90016 90027 not 90028 90017 clogged. 90020 90015 If the water trickles or does not drain at all, the valve is clogged. 90020 90033 90002 90016 Caution: 90017 There’s a good chance that the water in the tank is hot. If this is the case, you should take safety precautions to prevent being burned.Always wear work gloves and safety goggles when attempting to drain a water heater. Also, the water should be cooled before draining. Here are several ways to cool the water inside the tank: 90003 90014 90015 Disconnect the gas or electric supply to the water heater and allow it to sit for up to 24 hours. 90020 90015 If your water heater is not completely clogged, drain whatever water you can from the drain valve and leave the water inlet valve open. This will allow cold water to enter your tank and dilute the hot water.The fuel source (gas or electric) should be turned off. 90020 90015 If your water heater is completely clogged, you can open the hot water faucets in the kitchen or bathroom to draw hot water from the tank. Leave the cold water inlet valve open to dilute the temperature of the hot water. The fuel source (gas or electric) should be turned off to prevent the water from reheating. 90020 90033 90002 90010 How to Unclog a Water Heater Drain Valve 90011 90003 90002 There are a number of different ways to drain a clogged water heater tank, and of course, the severity of the clog plays a big role in determining which method works.We recommend starting with the easiest and working your way down the list. 90003 90002 Remember, the water in the tank is most likely HOT, so to prevent burns, follow the safety recommendations outlined above. 90003 90002 Before starting, turn the power source to your water heater OFF. 90016 Electric water heaters 90017: Turn off the circuit breaker — 90016 Gas water heaters 90017: Turn the on / off control knob to off). 90003 90060 90014 90015 If your drain valve has a minor clog, you could simply wait and see if the pressure from the water will push the debris thru the drain line.90020 90015 If you leave the drain valve open with the hose attached. Close the hot water faucet in the house. 90020 90015 Wait for an hour or so to see if the tank starts to drain. 90020 90033 90002 90070 Method 2 — Wire Coat Hanger 90071 90003 90014 90015 Close the drain valve and remove the hose. 90020 90015 It’s a good idea to place a small bucket or a few towels under the drain valve. 90020 90015 Use a stiff wire, such as a wire coat hanger. 90020 90015 Open the drain valve and insert the wire thru the valve and into the tank.90020 90015 Move the wire in a circular motion to attempt to loosen the debris. 90020 90015 If you are successful, the water will begin to flow out of the tank. 90020 90015 If you have a good flow of water you can turn the valve off, and attach the hose to finish draining the tank. 90020 90015 The valve may clog again before your tank has completely drained, but you can simply repeat the process. 90020 90033 90091 90092 90093 90014 90015 About 2 feet away from your water heater, step firmly onto the drain hose.90020 90015 If the source of the clog is from sediment, an air bubble will be forced back into the tank and unclog the valve. 90020 90015 The clog will often return while draining the tank. Keep repeating the process until your tank is drained. 90020 90033 90014 90015 Use a wash machine fill hose, which has a female connection on both ends. 90020 90015 CLOSE the drain valve and connect one end of the hose. Attach the other end of the hose to a nearby washtub faucet (often threaded) or a garden hose (attach the garden hose to an outside faucet).90020 90015 Turn ON the water to the faucet. 90020 90015 OPEN the water heater’s drain valve and allow the water to flow into the tank for 10 to 15 seconds. 90020 90015 The water from the hose should push the sediment away from the valve and clear the clog. 90020 90015 Turn OFF the water at the faucet, and CLOSE the drain valve. Disconnect the hose from the faucet (leave the hose connected to the drain valve, or replace the hose with a garden hose). 90020 90015 OPEN the water heater drain valve and drain the tank.90020 90015 If the water still will not drain, your clog may be too severe or your valve is defective. 90020 90033 90120 90092 90002 90123 Method 5 — Change the Drain Valve 90071 90003 90014 90015 It 90016 IS 90017 possible to change the drain valve while your tank is full of water. 90020 90015 Purchase a replacement drain valve (preferably brass). 90020 90015 Use teflon tape on the thread of the replacement drain valve. 90020 90015 Double check that ALL faucets in your house are CLOSED.This will create a vacuum in your water heater and prevent the water from «pouring» out. 90020 90015 Place a bucket and towels under the drain valve. 90020 90015 Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the drain valve. 90020 90015 Slowly unscrew the drain valve. Be prepared for some water to pour out of your tank. 90020 90015 Even if your tank is clogged, you will most likely have some water escape. If the issue is a faulty drain valve, you most certainly will have water. 90020 90015 Immediately insert the new drain valve.This should only take a few seconds. 90020 90015 Connect a garden hose and drain your tank. 90020 90033 90014 90015 If you’re going to go thru the effort of changing the drain valve, we recommend changing it to a ball valve (method 6). You’ll never need to worry about your drain valve clogging again. 90020 90033 90002 90155 Drain Valve 90071 90003 90002 90159 Method 6 — Change the Drain Valve with a Ball Valve 90071 90003 90014 90015 A ball valve is much larger than the standard drain valve.By replacing your valve with a ball valve you will not only unclog your tank, but also prevent sediment from clogging it in the future. 90020 90015 Purchase a brass 3/4 «ball valve, and two 3/4» dielectric nipples. (The nipples are coated with plastic to prevent rust). Each nipple will attach to one side of the ball valve. 90020 90015 Use teflon tape on the thread of the nipples that screw into the ball valve. 90020 90015 Keeping in mind, that the handle of the ball valve should open AWAY from the tank, use teflon tape on the second side of one of the nipples.(Only 3 of the 4 threads on the 2 nipples will be lined with teflon tape). 90020 90015 Double check that ALL faucets in your house are CLOSED. This will create a vacuum in your water heater and prevent the water from «pouring» out. 90020 90015 Place a bucket and towels under the drain valve. 90020 90015 Using an adjustable wrench, loosen the drain valve. 90020 90015 Slowly unscrew the valve. Be prepared for some water to pour out of your tank. 90020 90015 Even if your tank is clogged, you will most likely have some water escape.If the issue is a faulty drain valve, you most certainly will have water. 90020 90015 Immediately insert the new ball valve. This should only take a few seconds. 90020 90015 Connect a garden hose and drain your tank. 90020 90015 Once your tank has drained, you should either replace the ball valve with a regular valve or remove the handle for safety. The handle could inadvertently be opened and drain your tank, creating water damage and / or serious burns. 90020 90033 90002 90155 Ball Valve 90071 90003 90192 90092 90002 90195 Method 7 — Relocate Your Tank 90071 90003 90014 90015 This method is generally used if you’re planning on replacing your water heater.90020 90015 Disconnect the plumbing. 90020 90015 Disconnect the power source. 90020 90015 Use a hand truck to roll your water heater outside. 90020 90015 Carefully lay your water heater on it’s side and drain the water from the top of the tank. 90020 90033.90000 Water Heater Leaking From The Bottom? (DO THIS) 90001 90002 90003 Note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission for made purchases. 90004 90005 90002 A 90007 water heater leaking from the bottom 90008 is not always an indication of tank failure. Before you resign yourself to replacing the entire water heater, take a few minutes to determine where the leak is actually coming from, and you may be able to fix the leak yourself with little or no cost.90005 90002 Before you being working on the water heater, turn off the power and gas to the heater to avoid possible shock or burns. 90005 90002 See also: 90007 Water heater leaking from the TOP 90008 90005 90016 Leaking from the Bottom of the Tank: Finding the Source 90017 90002 The first places to check if it appears that you have a leak from the bottom of your water heater are the drain valve and temperature & pressure relief valve (T & P valve). 90005 90002 The leak may actually be at the top of the water heater and simply running down through the body of the heater before escaping at a lower level.Look for any visible signs of a leak on the top of the water heater and all pipes leading to or away from the heater. You can also remove the access panels (on electric models) and check for moisture in the insulation. 90005 90016 Common Causes of Water Heater Leaking from the Bottom 90017 90024 Leaking Drain Valve 90025 90002 90027 90027 All water heaters have a drain near the bottom of the unit so that the tank can be emptied before removal, or during routine cleaning of the tank itself . A leaking drain valve can be identified by moisture or water dripping, either out of the drain opening or around the valve itself.90005 90002 Check to make sure that the bottom valve is fully closed by turning the valve control clockwise. If this does not solve the problem, the valve may need to be replaced. 90005 90002 To replace the valve, you will need to connect an ordinary water hose between the drain outlet and an outside location. Next, turn off the water inlet for the tank, usually located at the top of the water heater on the cold water line. Open the drain valve and allow the tank to empty. 90005 90002 Replacement valves for hot water heaters are available at most hardware stores, and can be replaced with only a wrench.Turn the existing valve counter-clockwise to remove it. 90005 90002 Wrap the threads of the replacement drain valve with plumber’s (Teflon) tape or joint compound, and then screw the new valve into the opening until it is hand tight. Using a wrench, tighten the drain valve 1/2 turn, or until the drain is tightly in place. 90005 90024 Leaking Pressure Relief Valve 90025 90002 90041 90041 The pressure relief valve (T & P valve) is an important safety measure for your water heater to relieve excess pressure if the water heater gets too hot.On most water heaters, the pressure relief valve is on top of the unit, but most systems include a tube attached to the valve in order to channel the water to the floor. 90005 90002 When the T & P valve is leaking, it may appear the issue is at the bottom of the tank since the overflow tube discards the expelled water underneath it. Since the T & P valve is designed to allow water to be released from the tank, the first thing to do is check the thermostat setting to make sure that it is not turned up too high.90005 90002 If the temperature is fine, you will likely need to replace the pressure relief valve. 90005 90024 Leaking Tank 90025 90002 90051 90051 Water heaters that are not cleaned out periodically can build up sediment in the tank. Salt and other chemicals in the sediment may lead to premature rusting or corrosion inside of a water heater and eventually cause pinhole leaks to form. 90005 90002 Once a pinhole leak is opened up, the pressure of the water inside the tank forcing its way through the opening will cause the leak to get larger over time.90005 90002 I’ve heard cases where a leak in an inside closet allowed a stead source of water under the crawl space. Next thing the homeowner knew, they were trying to get rid of a family of chipmunks living under their home. 90005 90002 The best solution for this problem is to replace the tank with a new unit. A leaking tank is an obvious sign of a water heater needing to be replaced. 90005 90002 Normally, replacing a water heater should be done by a professional but if you’re a DIYer, you can do it yourself.On most models, you will need to remove the plumbing connected to the water heater, and disconnect the power inside the access panel. For gas water heaters, be sure to turn off the gas line leading to the water heater, and disconnect the line where it enters the tank. 90005 90002 Replace the water heater with a new unit and reconnect the pipes and power. «How long do water heaters last?» is question usually related to the water heater tank itself. When the tank is damaged, it’s time for a new unit.90005 90024 Condensation 90025 90002 Some water heaters may experience condensation on the water tank. This more common on older water heaters, but it can happen to newer tanks if the insulation has been damaged or the thermostat is set too high for safe operation. Allow the tank to sit idle for several hours with the power or gas turned off. 90005 90002 If the leak stops, it is an indication that you are experiencing condensation. Turn down the thermostat and restore power to the unit. 90005 90002 If the problem persists, you may need to replace the tank with a better insulated model.See our list of recommended water heaters to see just how well insulated current models have become. 90005 90002 Condensation may also occur temporarily after a new water heater is installed and the cold water that fills up the tank has not had a chance to heat up yet. The temperature difference between the inside of the tank and the outside air oftentimes causes condensation. 90005 90074 Related Posts: 90075.90000 Common Water Heater Problems (AND WHAT TO CHECK) 90001 90002 90003 Note: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission for made purchases. 90004 90005 90002 A hot water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home but often taken for granted. Unless it’s been turned off for some reason, such as while you’re on vacation, a water heater is used every single day. Like any other appliance, problems can come up. 90005 90002 Fortunately, tank-type water heaters are fairly simple products.While all their components are important, there are relatively few of them when compared to other appliances. Most fixes can be made on your own without spending a fortune. Though if it’s a problem with the water tank itself, a new water heater is usually the only solution. 90005 90002 Below are some of the most common issues homeowners may experience in regards to water heaters and hot water. To make it easier for you, there are sections for both Electric and Gas water heaters. Troubleshooting a problem is essentially a process of elimination so work your way down the list until you find the issue that most resembles what you are experiencing.90005 90002 As always, if you are not completely comfortable with making the repairs yourself, please call a professional plumber. 90005 90014 Electric Water Heater Troubleshooting 90015 90002 (Click to jump to GAS water heater problems) 90005 90018 90018 (click to enlarge) 90020 Water Leaking From the Top 90021 90002 If you believe you have a leak near the top of your electric water heater, it could be one of a few things. The cold inlet or hot outlet pipes may be loose, the T & P valve may have failed, or inlet valve may be leaking.All are easily fixed. For more information, see Water Heater Leaking from the Top. 90005 90020 Water Leaking From the Bottom 90021 90002 An electric water heater that’s leaking from the bottom is typically because of normal condensation, a leaking electric heating element gasket, or a small amount of water being expelled through the overflow pipe because the T & P valve is opening to release excess pressure in the tank. 90005 90002 In some cases, the actual tank is leaking and the only fix is ​​to replace the water heater.For more information, see Water Heater Leaking from the Bottom. 90005 90020 No Hot Water 90021 90002 Water in an electric water heater is heated by two heating elements (in most cases). The most common reason for absolutely no hot water is that the circuit breaker has tripped and you should first check the breaker box. 90005 90002 If that’s not the cause then the heating elements may have failed and need replacement. It may also be an issue with the limit / reset switch on the thermostat. It may have tripped due to the water being way too hot or simply failed and needs replacement.90005 90020 Not Enough Hot Water 90021 90002 Not having enough hot water is most likely due to an issue with the thermostat. It may be as simple as adjusting the desired water temperature on the thermostat for the particular heating element. 90005 90002 On electric models, the thermostat is usually hidden behind an access panel on the side of the tank and a layer of insulation. Unlike gas models, an electric thermostat is set at the factory and not intended to be changed but is sometimes necessary to do so.90005 90002 During the cold winter months, you may need to slightly raise the thermostat temperature since the hot water gets cooled quicker through colder pipes as it travels through your home’s plumbing. 90005 90002 Other possible reasons for not having enough hot water include a faulty thermostat, faulty element, loose wiring, or simply a water heater tank that’s too small for your needs. See «What size water heater do I need» for more info. 90005 90002 90047 90047 90005 90020 Water is Too Hot 90021 90002 Again, this is likely related to the thermostat (s) where the temperature is set too high.Simply gain access to the thermostat and adjust as needed. This may also be needed when transitioning from cold to warm seasons. For our recommended temperature setting, click here. 90005 90002 If you can not lower the water temperature low enough, you may need to replace your thermostat or there may be some type of wiring issue (recommended to call a pro if the later). 90005 90020 Water Takes Too Long to Reheat 90021 90002 This is one of the downsides with electric water heaters. On average, recovery time (time it takes to reheat entire supply of water) on an electric model is double that of a comparable gas model.The amount of time it takes to heat up water can vary quite a bit between different models. Newer is usually better. 90005 90002 That said, if it’s taking longer than usual for the hot water to recover, there may be an issue with the heating elements (including sediment build-up on them) or thermostat and those parts may need to be replaced. 90005 90002 If your household tends to use more hot water now than a few years ago, you may want to consider investing in a new model with a larger capacity tank, a tankless model, or installing a point-of-use water heater that’s close to the water source you use the most (ie: the shower).But we recommend to do some research on the tankless vs tank water heater comparison. 90005 90020 Low Hot Water Pressure 90021 90002 Most often, those reporting to have low hot water pressure have an older home with 1/2-inch diameter galvanized piping that enters and leaves the water heater. Since water pressure is automatically limited, the only solution is to install modern 3/4-inch piping which allows more water to flow through. 90005 90002 Sediment, calcium-deposits, and rust inside your plumbing or sink aerators may also contribute to low hot water pressure.90005 90020 Water Heater is Making Strange Noises 90021 90002 If you hear popping, hissing, banging, knocking, or other strange noises from your water heater, it’s most commonly due to scale build-up on your heating elements or too much sediment build-up in the bottom of the tank. 90005 90002 Other causes of noises include a leak somewhere, too much pressure inside the tank, or noisy pipes because of normal expanding / contracting. When your water heater is making noise, it’s often harmless but should always be looked into for piece of mind.90005 90020 Dirty or Rusty Colored Water 90021 90002 Rusty hot water is often a sign of corrosion of the anode rod or even tank itself. If left untreated, your water heater will most likely need replacing once the corrosion gets serious enough for the tank to develop a leak. Replacing the anode rod is easy to do and can add years to your water heater. 90005 90002 If the water is not rusty but dirty or discolored, it may be because of scale build-up on the heating elements or sediment that’s making its way into the hot water outlet.90005 90020 Smelly Hot Water 90021 90002 Most likely, smelly or stinky hot water is due to bacteria in the tank. Homes which use well water as their water source are more susceptible to their water giving off a foul odor. Periodic flushing of the water heater may temporarily help but to actually fix the sulfur or rotten egg smell from your hot water, you’ll likely need to replace the anode rod. Better yet, consider a powered anode rod which will get rid of the smell and last the longest. 90005 90002 A quick fix may be to increase the thermometer temperature to about 140 degrees to kill off any remaining bacteria.90005 90002 For more detailed information on troubleshooting an electric water heater, watch the video below: 90005 90002 90091 90092 90093 90005 90014 Gas Water Heater Troubleshooting 90015 90097 90097 (click to enlarge) 90020 Water Leaking From the Top 90021 90002 Same as with an electric water heater, you should first check the cold water inlet and hot water outlet pipes and connections to make sure they are not loose. A faulty or loose temperature and pressure relief valve or inlet valve may also be the cause of leak.90005 90002 See Water Heater Leaking from the Top for more information. 90005 90020 Water Leaking From the Bottom 90021 90002 When you see water that appears to be leaking from the bottom of a gas water heater, it could be because of condensation (try turning up the thermostat), a leaking or loose drain valve, or the T & P valve draining some water through the overflow pipe due to tank overpressurization. 90005 90002 If the leak is from the water heater tank due to corrosion, replacement of the water heater is necessary.See Water Heater Leaking from the Bottom for additional information. 90005 90020 No Hot Water 90021 90002 The very first thing to check is if you have gas flow and that your pilot light is on. If yes, the issue may be with the thermocouple which is not correctly sensing that the pilot light is on and in turn does not ignite the gas. The thermocouple may need to be replaced (or simply cleaned). 90005 90002 If you have a newer style water heater with electronic ignition, check your breaker box to see if the circuit breaker is tripped.See here for more info. 90005 90020 Not Enough Hot Water 90021 90002 Some reasons for not having enough hot water or running out of hot water too soon include not having the thermostat set at a high enough temperature (especially in the winter months), a faulty thermostat, or a broken or damaged dip tube which allows the incoming cold water to mix with the hot water at the top. 90005 90002 Sometimes not enough hot water is simply because you have a water heater tank that’s too small for your needs.Even though you may have a 40 gallon tank, only about 28-30 gallons of it may be usable hot water at a time. Upgrading to a larger water heater or a tankless model may be in your future. 90005 90020 Water is Too Hot 90021 90002 Most likely, you have the thermostat set too high. This is most common when transitioning to the warmer Spring and Summer months and forgetting to set back the temperature after raising it to account for the colder Winter temps. Less likely is a faulty thermostat that needs replacement.90005 90020 Water Takes Too Long to Reheat 90021 90002 If it feels like your gas water heater recovers too slowly, the thermostat may be set too low, the burner orifice may be too dirty or clogged and requires cleaning, the gas pressure may be too low , or the vent flue may be too dirty and also require cleaning. 90005 90002 For many, it’s simply a matter of having too small of a water heater tank for their family’s needs and it’s never given a chance to fully recover. 90005 90020 Low Hot Water Pressure 90021 90002 If you have an older home, there’s a good chance you have the smaller 1/2-inch diameter galvanized piping throughout your home.This greatly reduces the amount of hot water than can flow through your home’s plumbing. 90005 90002 Unfortunately, the only way to get noticeably higher hot water pressure is to switch out to the newer 3/4-inch piping that’s used in today’s homes. Definitely not a small task. 90005 90002 You may be able to slightly increase water pressure by cleaning out sink aerators or shower heads which tend to get clogged over time. Also, make sure your water inlet valve is fully open and not partially closed.90005 90020 Pilot Will Not Light 90021 90002 When you know exactly how to light a pilot light on a water heater yet it will not light, there are a few possibilities as to why. Either the pilot light orifice or tube is clogged or needs replacement, the thermocouple is loose or faulty, there is air in the gas line, or the gas valve is defective. 90005 90020 Pilot Will Not Stay Lit 90021 90002 Just as annoying as a pilot light that will not light, is a pilot light that frequently goes out. Often, thermocouple replacement is necessary but there are other reasons if your pilot light keeps going out.Other possibilities include a bad gas valve or partially clogged vent which can cause downdrafts that blow out the pilot light. 90005 90020 Burner Does Not Stay Lit 90021 90002 A burner that at times goes out or produces an unusual, higher or lower than usual flame or even a whistling sound, is most often due to dirty or clogged burner orifices. As with the pilot light, a faulty thermocouple or dirty vent may also be the cause of the problem. 90005 90020 Water Heater is Making Strange Noises 90021 90002 Same as an electric water heater, hissing, popping, knocking, or banging noises can sometimes come up.On gas models, this is typically due to sediment build up in bottom of the tank, expanding / contracting piping which rubs against wood framing within the walls, or dirty / clogged parts which gas flows through. 90005 90020 Rusty Colored Water 90021 90002 Once again, corrosion of the anode rod or the inside of the water tank itself is usually to blame. While replacing the anode rod is not complicated or expensive, the bigger problem lies if the tank shows signs of corrosion. It’s then only a matter of time before a leak develops and a new water heater will be needed.90005 90020 Smelly Hot Water 90021 90002 Likely due to bacteria build up inside the tank. Simply turning up the thermostat to about 140 degrees should kill off the bacteria but a full clean-out of the tank with chlorine bleach may be necessary. If the smell comes back, the anode rod is likely at its end of life and will need replacing. 90005 90165 Related Posts: 90166.90000 How to Drain a Water Heater | Home Matters 90001 90002 Proper water heater maintenance is necessary for keeping your water heater functioning correctly for a long time. Follow these simple steps for how to drain your water heater. 90003 90002 90003 90002 You use your hot water heater every day — and things would quickly get pretty dicey at home if it broke down. A broken hot water heater means no hot showers or baths, no washing dishes, no laundry — and it can also mean shelling out several hundred dollars to buy a new heater and have it installed.But what if there was an easy way to extend the life of your water heater? There is. Find out how to drain your water heater to help it last longer and work more efficiently. 90003 90008 How Often Should You Drain Your Water Heater? 90009 90002 You should drain or flush your water heater once a year. If it’s been a few years since you flushed it — or if you can not even remember the last time you flushed it — you should flush it as soon as possible. If your water heater is making banging noises, it’s time to flush it — not next week, not next month, but right now.90003 90008 What Are the Benefits of Draining or Flushing a Hot Water Heater? 90009 90002 It should come as no surprise to you that a lot of water travels through your water heater — and that water is full of minerals that can build up in the tank in the form of sediment. Sediment creates hot spots inside the heater that can shorten its life by damaging the tank. If you have an electric heater, sediment can accumulate on the heating element, causing it to fail and necessitating an expensive repair.90003 90002 Are you hearing popping, banging or rumbling noises from your water heater? That’s the sound of water percolating through the sediment inside the tank. If you’re hearing banging or rumbling noises from the tank, you need to drain it now, especially if you have not done so in more than a year. But do not be surprised if a fair amount of muck comes out of the drain — or if the sediment clogs up the drain and requires some cleaning. 90003 90002 Draining your water heater regularly will save you money, because you’ll get more use out of it before it needs replaced.It can help you avoid the inconvenience of a broken water heater. The more often you drain or flush your hot water heater, the less sediment you’ll have to deal with, and the less likely it’ll be to clog up your water heater’s drain, allowing you to perform the maintenance with less troubleshooting each year . 90003 90008 How to Flush a Water Heater 90009 90002 Draining your water heater is a fairly simple maintenance procedure that you should be able to do on your own. Here’s how to drain your water heater, step by step: 90003 90002 90003 90026 Step One 90027 90002 Whether it’s gas or electric, your water heater should have a thermostat knob, usually near the bottom.Turn off the thermostat. If you have a gas appliance, this will turn off the pilot light, which you’ll need to relight after flushing the tank. 90003 90026 Step Two 90027 90002 If you have a gas heater, turn off the gas. If you have an electric heater, go to the fuse box and turn off the breaker that controls the hot water heater. Shut off the cold water supply to the water heater, too. 90003 90026 Step Three 90027 90002 Open a hot water tap in your home. Keep it open until you’re done flushing the tank.This will keep a vacuum from forming so you can perform the maintenance more easily. 90003 90026 Step Four 90027 90002 Open the water heater’s pressure release valve. Not only will this help the tank drain faster, it’s also an important part of water heater maintenance because it lets you test the pressure release valve. You want to make sure that’s working properly, because if it is not, and too much pressure builds up inside your water heater, it could burst. 90003 90026 Step Five 90027 90002 Connect a garden hose to your water heater’s drain line.It’s the thing that looks like a spigot at the bottom of the tank. Run the hose to your basement drain, or if you do not have one, run it outside the house. 90003 90026 Step Six 90027 90002 Open the spigot on that drain and empty your hot water heater completely. Again, if you have not drained your water heater in a while, it will be full of sediment, and you’ll see that sediment coming out of the tank now. If your drain valve gets clogged with sediment at any point in the process, you can buy a shop vac attachment for the drain that will help you suck it out.90003 90026 Step Seven 90027 90002 Once you’ve got the spigot open and the hot water and sediment are flowing out, turn the cold water supply to the heater back on. Let the water flow through the heater, and out your hose, until you’re seeing only clear water and no more sediment emerging from your water heater. At this point, you close the spigot, relight the pilot light or restore power to the heater, and turn your heater’s thermostat back up. Close the hot water tap you opened earlier. 90003 90002 See how easy that was? Draining your water heater may be simple, but it’s necessary to keep your water heater functioning well for as long as possible.Take care of your water heater, and it’ll take care of you. 90003 90002 90003 .