Ever opened your hot water tap and gotten that brownish, gritty water that makes you question everything? We’ve all been there, standing over the hot water heater, wondering how to drain the water efficiently. Last month, we helped a Stroudsburg family who hadn’t drained their water heater tank in eight years—the sediment buildup was so thick, their electric water heater was working overtime just to heat murky water.
Look, draining your water heater isn’t rocket science, but doing it wrong can flood your basement or leave you with no hot water for days. After 36 years serving the Poconos, we’ve seen every possible DIY disaster (and fixed most of them at 2 AM).
This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process safely—whether you’ve got an electric water heater or gas water heater. And hey, if you hit a snag, our licensed plumbers are just a call away. No judgment here.
Why You Actually Need to Drain Your Water Heater
Preventing Sediment Buildup Before It Ruins Everything
Here’s what most folks don’t realize: every gallon of water flowing into your water heater tank carries tiny minerals. Over time, these settle at the bottom of the tank like sand in a fish bowl. That sediment buildup doesn’t just sit there looking ugly—it creates a barrier between your heating elements and the water.
We once pulled an electric water heater element from a Mount Pocono home that looked like it was dipped in concrete. The homeowner wondered why their electric bill kept climbing. Turns out, that element was working three times harder to push heat through all that buildup. Our Stroudsburg water heater team sees this scenario weekly—preventable damage that costs homeowners hundreds in repairs.
Improving Efficiency of Electric and Gas Water Heaters
When sediment coats the bottom of your water heater tank, your system has to work overtime. Gas water heaters can’t transfer heat efficiently through that crusty layer. Electric water heaters? Those heating elements get buried and burn out faster.
A clean tank means your water heats faster and your energy bills stay reasonable. We’ve seen 20-30% efficiency improvements just from proper maintenance. Not bad for a Saturday afternoon project, right?
Tools and Materials You'll Need (Most Are Probably in Your Garage)
Before you start, grab these basics:
- Garden hose (long enough to reach your drain or yard)
- Screwdriver (flathead or Phillips, depending on your drain valve)
- Bucket or access to an outdoor spigot
- Adapter (sometimes needed if your hose doesn't fit the drain valve perfectly)
Pro tip from our crew: Test your garden hose first. Nothing worse than discovering leaks halfway through the job when you’re already committed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Drain Your Water Heater (The Safe Way)
Turn Off the Power Supply First (Seriously, Don't Skip This)
Electric Water Heater
Find your electrical panel and flip the breaker switch for your water heater. Some units have a disconnect switch right on the unit—use that too. We’ve seen heating elements fry when people drain tanks with the power still on. Trust us, replacing elements isn’t fun.
Gas Water Heater
Turn your gas valve to “pilot” or “off.” You’ll see a dial near the bottom of your gas water heater—rotate it counterclockwise. The pilot light can stay on, but the main burner needs to shut down.
Shut Off the Cold Water Supply
Look for the cold water inlet valve (usually on top of the tank). Turn this valve clockwise to shut off the water source. This stops fresh water from refilling the tank while you’re trying to drain it.
Can’t find it? Follow the cold water line from your main supply—it’ll lead you right to the supply valve.
Open a Hot Water Tap Somewhere in Your House
This step breaks the vacuum in your water lines and lets the water drain properly. We usually tell folks to open a hot faucet in an upstairs bathroom—keeps the air flowing so the tank can empty completely.
Leave that faucet open during the entire draining process. You’ll know it’s working when you stop getting water from the tap.
Connect the Garden Hose to the Drain Valve
The drain valve sits near the bottom of the tank—looks like a small spigot or faucet. Screw your garden hose onto this valve (righty-tighty). Make sure it’s snug but don’t over-tighten and crack anything.
Run the other end of the hose to where you want the water to go. Outside is ideal—tank water can be hot and contains sediment you don’t want in your basement, so make sure to drain the water properly.
Open the Drain Valve and Allow Water to Drain
Here’s where patience pays off. Open the drain valve by turning it counterclockwise. Water should start flowing through your hose immediately.
A full water heater tank holds 40-80 gallons, so this takes time. Grab a coffee and let the hot water heater do its job while you wait. Check your email. The water level drops gradually, and that’s normal.
Warning: Always ensure to drain the water heater before performing maintenance. The water coming out can be scalding hot, especially if you just used hot water recently. Point that hose where pets and kids won’t accidentally get splashed.
Flush the Tank (This Is Where the Magic Happens)
Once the tank empties, you’re not done yet. Turn the cold water supply valve back on briefly—this stirs up any remaining sediment at the bottom of the water tank.
Let fresh water run through for a few minutes. The water flowing from your drain valve should go from murky to clear. When it runs clear consistently, you’ve flushed out the buildup. For more detailed flushing techniques, check out our guide on how to flush a water heater.
Some tanks are stubborn. If you’re still getting cloudy water after 10 minutes of flushing, shut off the cold water supply, let the tank settle for an hour, then try to drain the water again.
Close the Drain Valve and Disconnect the Hose
Once you’re satisfied with the flush, close the drain valve (clockwise) to prevent drain water from leaking. Remove the garden hose and make sure the valve isn’t leaking.
Now turn your cold water supply valve back on to refill the tank. Head back to that open hot faucet—once water starts flowing normally, close it. Your water heater tank is refilling.
Tips for Keeping Your Water Heater Happy Long-Term
Set a Regular Maintenance Schedule
We recommend draining your water heater every 6-12 months, depending on your water quality. Poconos water varies wildly—some areas have mineral-heavy well water that needs more frequent attention.
Mark your calendar. Set a phone reminder. Do whatever works, but don’t let it slide for years like that Stroudsburg family I mentioned earlier.
Checking Your Heating Elements (Electric Units Only)
While you’ve got everything accessible, take a look at your heating elements and consider draining the water heater for better efficiency. They should be free of white mineral buildup. If they’re crusty or corroded, it’s time for replacements.
Our licensed technicians can swap those out quickly—usually same-day service in the Poconos area. For comprehensive water heaters service and repair, we handle everything from routine maintenance to full system replacements.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
Some situations need expert hands:
- Your drain valve won't open (could be seized)
- Water keeps flowing even when the valve's closed (needs replacement)
- Strange noises coming from the tank during heating
- Your heating elements keep burning out despite regular maintenance
With our 4.9★ HomeAdvisor rating and 24/7 emergency dispatch, we’ve probably seen your exact problem before. No need to turn a simple maintenance job into a flood; just remember to drain the water heater carefully.
Don't Let Sediment Sink Your Water Heater
Draining your water heater isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of those weekend tasks that saves you serious money long-term when you drain the water regularly. A well-maintained tank lasts 10-12 years instead of dying at 6-8 years from neglect. If you have a tankless system, the maintenance process is different—check out our guide on how to flush tankless water heater systems.
And look, if you get halfway through this process and realize you’d rather be doing literally anything else, that’s what we’re here for. Our crew has been keeping Poconos water heaters running smoothly for 36+ years—we can handle the messy stuff while you handle more important things.
Ready to skip the DIY hassle of draining a water heater tank? Call Statewide Rooter PA for same-day water heater service. We’re licensed, insured, and bilingual—plus we actually show up when we say we will. For residents in the area, our Stroudsburg water heater Specialists are available around the clock to help drain a water heater tank if you’re unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I drain my water heater?
We recommend draining your water heater every 6-12 months. Poconos homes with well water may need more frequent maintenance due to higher mineral content causing faster sediment buildup.
Q: Is draining an electric water heater different from a gas water heater?
The draining process is identical. The only difference is shutting off power—flip the breaker switch for electric water heaters, turn the gas valve to “pilot” for gas units.
Q: What if my drain valve won't open?
Don’t force it! Seized drain valves are common in older tanks. We can replace the valve quickly without draining the entire system, making sure to drain water from the tank first. Call our emergency line for same-day service.
Q: Why does sediment buildup happen in my water heater tank?
All water contains dissolved minerals that settle over time. The bottom of the tank acts like a collection point, creating layers that insulate heating elements and reduce efficiency.
Q: When should I call a plumber instead of draining the tank myself?
Call us if your drain valve leaks, heating elements keep failing, or you hear strange noises. Our licensed technicians handle complex repairs while you focus on easier maintenance tasks.
Quick disclaimer: Always check local building codes before doing major plumbing work. This guide covers routine maintenance—structural or gas line issues need professional attention, especially when draining the water heater.