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How
to flush water heater to remove sediment
How to clean water heater with bleach |
 Electric water heater Troubleshoot electric water heater |
 Gas water heater Troubleshoot gas water heater |
Identify
electric and gas water heaters Emergency leak resources: Emergency steps for leaking water heater Leaking water heater Do not stand in water Do not touch any wet appliance Turn power OFF Applies to electric and gas water heaters Buy: Water detectors at Amazon Floodstop water heater shut-off at Amazon Resources: How to clean sediment out of water heater Repair water heater valve |
 Flush each 6 months to
prevent build-up
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Steps
for flushing GAS water heater - Turn off water at shut off - Turn gas control to pilot -pilot stays lit but no burner flame Two ways to proceed: Best if you do #1 followed by #2 1) -Turn off water at shut off - Open bathtub spigot to let air enter water heater - Open water heater drain - Drain water from tank What if water heater is clogged? - After tank is drained, turn on water at shut off - Continue flushing tank until water runs clean 2) Fill tank- turn water ON - Open water heater drain at bottom of tank Check that water runs clean. If you do this first, it can stir up sediment instead of flushing tank - Close tank drain - Refill tank - When water comes out bathtub spigot, tank is full - Turn off bathtub spigot - Reset pilot control - Flushing does not work if sediment builds up |
| Step by step clean out for electric water heater starts here | |
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Step 1: Turn
power OFF
 Never
assume power is OFFUse non-contact voltage tester on timer, on wire, on outlet to see if power is present. Press button on tester, if single beep then no power is present. If continuous beep then power is present. Never stand on bare ground, always stand on dry boards, do not hold or touch anything metal when working on timer or water heater that has power, tape tester leads to wood sticks, never touch wet water heater, or flooded water heater, or timer that had a short or fire without turning power OFF. Buy: Multimeters at Amazon Simple multimeter/ Test continuity or voltage Buy non-contact voltage tester at Amazon Electric testers at Amazon Resource: How to test if water heater electricity is off |
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Step 2:
See if tank will
drain Do NOT turn off water <> full pressure is needed Connect garden hose to water heater. Rotate tank drain counter-clockwise to open. See if water comes out end of hose. Wait... Do Not drain tank yet Weight of water inside tank will hold tank in place when looseneing element. |
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Clogged
drain? Connect washing machine hose to water heater drain-valve <> Connect garden hose between outdoor spigot and washing machine hose <> turn on outdoor spigot for a few seconds so water pressure flushes tank open Resources What to do if water heater will not drain How to replace drain valve |
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Step 3:
Turn off cold water Turn off water going into water heater. Do this by shutting off water valve just above water heater -or- close main shut-off valve to house This will stop all hot water going to each faucet |
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Step
4: Open tub valve ON HOT SIDE only
This will release hot water pressure This will let air into line so water heater will drain Leave tub valve open so at end of job you know when tank is full of water before electricity is turned back on. |
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Step 5:
Remove cover and insulation Cover and insulation must be put back when finished. Otherwise thermostat will not read correct temperature. |
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Step 6:
Check for Burned wire melted parts Use nose to check for burned smell. Use eyes to look for burned and melted parts Damaged wire can be caused by sediment filling bottom of the tank and then overheating element. Resource: How to test water heater wires |
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Cut
back damaged
wire Any damaged wire must be repaired Use wire nut to extend wire if necessary Usual wire size for inside of tanks is #12 solid copper wire/ never replace with stranded wire Test wires Resource: How to test water heater wires |
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Step 7:
Choose Element
wrench or socket Lightweight 1-1/2" element wrench available hardware store, home center, plumbing supply Best is 1-1/2" socket from automovive supply I use the socket because it grabs the element easier Buy: Water heater element socket 1-1/2" at Amazon Heating element wrenches at Amazon Camco heavy duty element socket Marathon elements are 1-7/8" |
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Optional
purchase: Electric
impact wrench for elements Use for removal of element only. Do not tighten element with impact wrench Buy: Impact wrenches at Amazon Special 1-1/2" socket for elements  |
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Step 8:
SLIGHTLY Loosen element while tank is full of water Loosen element SLIGHTLY while tank is FULL Why? So weight of water will hold tank while you push on and twist wrench Turn element wrench counter-clockwise Must push on wrench to keep it in position on element, or wrench will slip off Do not remove element completely until tank is empty -or- water will flood out hole Also good time to check anode rod Resource: How to replace anode rod |
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How
to remove stuck element/ open the link Torch, WD40, drill bolt holes and remove with wrench, use impact wrench Make sure water heater is full of water / for weight / when loosening element Resource: Remove rusted/stuck element |
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Step 9:
Drain tank Open drain valve located at bottom of tank |
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Step
10: Remove element and old O ring --- after tank is
drained
Take out old element Element will have rubber ring that seals the tank. Remove O ring and element. Before going further<, Check inside tank for loose pipe coming from top <> target="_blank" href="http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-dip-tube.html">broken dip tubecauses reduced hot water and wasted electricity Resources: Dip tubes Anode rod |
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Step
11: Assemble shop vac and hoses I use the hoses that are shown. The element opening is 1" in diameter Garden hose bends into tank 3/4" PVC is nice fit with garden hose 1" clear tube fits 3/4" PVC 30" piece of 1/2" CPVC reaches back of tank Buy: Wet dry vacs at Amazon |
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Step
12: Vacuum out tank Tape hoses together with duct tape. Clear package tape also works. Masking tape does not work. Turn vacuum ON. Insert hose or pipe. Move hose or pipe around. Remove and clean end of hose or pipe as needed. Clear tube is handy Length of 1" clear tube lets you see if sediment is flowing past. Sediment is a slurry of water and calcium carbonate that clogs the pipe easily <> so it's handy when you can see when the stuff is flowing past. Short piece of garden hose bends into tank. Use 1/2" cpvc to break up debris Protect carpet from rusty water Buy: Duct tape from Amazon Shop vacs at Amazon |
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It
doesn't have to be perfect
It will not be perfect... that's ok Buy: Tank rinser at Amazon Resources: How to clean tank and household pipes with bleach How to maintain water heater |
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Step
14: Check new element & O ring Put new O ring in place Use new O ring> Do not re-use old O ring Test new element if you want: Resource: How to test element for continuity |
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Step
15: Clean opening and install element Wipe off around opening. Do NOT use teflon tape or any sealant > not necessary unless tank is damaged |
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Step
16: Tighten element Don't overtighten, a firm snug is enough |
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Step
17: Attach wires to either screw Tighten screws very tight against copper wire Only solid copper wire, No insulation under the screw head |
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Step 18:
Close drain & put covers on Close drain <> put cover and insulation on <> turn on water Do NOT turn power ON until tank is full of water  Insulation
must be reinstalled over thermostatDo not
turn on circuit breaker until tank is full of waterDrain valve drips??? Use garden hose cap if drain valve drips Buy brass garden hose cap at amazon Resource: How to replace drain valve |
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If
drain will not stop dripping: add brass hose cap Pick up plastic hose cap at local big-box-store, and replace later with brass hose cap Buy: Brass hose caps at Amazon |
 Wait to turn on breaker |
Wait
... Do NOT turn power On ..... until tank is full: Wait for tank to fill
Water heater elements must be emersed in water or
they will burn out instantlyBurn out is called dry fire, and is not covered by element warranty. Replace burned out element with new element. |
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Step 19:
Wait for tank to fill Open bathtub spout ON HOT SIDE only After water heater fills with water, water will start to come out bathtub valve 40 gallon tank might fill in 15-20 minutes or less |
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Tub
is running on HOT side. Tank is full. ✔ Bathtub hot water side is running with no air gaps <> turn off tub <> momentarily open TP valve on water heater to bleed last of water <> turn on circuit breaker |
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Step
20: Turn power On Turn on breaker <> put ear against water heater <> bubbly fizzing sound says it's working <> wait 10 minutes to see if water is getting hot. Put EAR against side of tank and listen for bubbly fizzing sound 4500 watt tank heats 21 gallons per hour 40 gallon tank will take 2 hours to fill completely |
| Job is finished | |
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Step
21: What if tank is not working?
Read 'repaired water heater is not working' |
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Brass hose cap |
If
drain valve is dripping Buy
brass garden hose
cap with washerMost local home centers sell plastic cap Install plastic cap and then order brass hose cap for permanent solution. Buy: Brass hose caps at Amazon Hose cap requires rubber washer. Rubber washer will seal tank. Resources:
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Replace Water heater drain valve with ball valve Easier flush and clean out Full open position lets you insert 1/4" copper pipe flushing tool Resource How to replace drain valve Also install curved dip tube to help prevent sediment from settling on bottom of tank How to clean sediment out of water heater Buy: Dielectric nipples at Amazon 3/4" ball valve at Amazon Brass ball valve 3/4" pipe to 3/4" garden hose Buy: Ball valve/ gas Gas ball valve Use 6 wraps teflon tape on threads Shop Amazon - Industrial and scientific |
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Buy: plastic
tank rinser Tank rinser at Amazon |
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Make
a flush
tool 36" aluminum tube or plastic tube connects to garden hose. Remove drain valve to insert tool -or- install full-flow ball valve shown above Tube inserts through ball valve opening. Make tool using 3/8" flexible copper pipe Buy: 3/4" Hose barb adapter at Amazon Hose adapter to 1/4" compression No-rust hose shut off at Amazon 3/8" clear hose at hardware Hose clamp at hardware |
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 Applies to gas and electric water heaters Larger image Resources: How to remove short water heater nipple Read about odor and anode rods |
Control odor by
adding Hydrogen Peroxide regularly Resource: Read more about anode odor problem at pro water heater forum Install ball valve on Hot side so you can pour in peroxide Hot side will allow peroxide to enter top of tank. (cold side will put peroxide at bottom) Applies to gas and electric heaters. Turn off power to water heater: Let tank cool so hot does not explode out ball valve Shut off cold water to tank. Open bathtub hot side to release pressure. Leave bathtub valve open until finished. This will tell you when tank has refilled and ready to apply power. Drain 2 gallons from tank Add 2 pints harmless Hydrogen peroxide to water heater. Let stand for 2 hours. H2O2 is easy to flush out, and generally harmless to people. Can be used as mouthwash, read label on hydrogen peroxide bottle. Do not use clorox. CLOROX is NOT used for this purpose since it cannot be easily flushed out, and bleach odor can last weeks or longer coming out each tap for extended period of time. Then drain tank to flush hydrogen peroxide. Refill completely until water is coming out of bathtub drain, then turn on water heater. Applies to gas and electric heaters. Buy: parts to make this drain valve Dielectric nipples at Amazon 3/4" ball valve at Amazon Brass ball valve Plastic funnels at Amazon Use 6 wraps teflon tape on threads Shop Amazon - Industrial and scientific Buy hydrogen peroxide at Grocery store or Drug store |
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 Drip pan saves damage |
Prevent
water damage to home: Set water heater in drip pan Buy: Water heater drip pans at Amazon Water detectors at Amazon Auto-shut-off valve at Amazon Resource: See drip pan installation Drain pan no greater than 1-1/2” deep and at least 2” wider than tank. Pan must not restrict air flow to bottom of gas water heater that has 3-legs. Set 3-legged water heater on bricks.. TP discharge pipe cannot be lower than top rim of drain pan. |
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| Water
softener shortens
life of tank Read
anode options |
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Support
the economy: Buy water heaters from my associate links: 50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon 40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon 50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon 40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon Resources: How to install gas water heater How to install electric water heater Troubleshoot gas water heater Troubleshoot electric water heater Point of use water heaters |
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