The need to drain water from water heaters

In houses and dachas where the owners live only during the summer, all engineering systems must be prepared in advance for the onset of winter. If the device is not used for a long time, you need to take care of its proper storage.

For what reasons do you need to drain the water from the boiler

Many manufacturers indicate in the operating rules that it is not recommended to leave the boiler empty for a long time, unless there are good reasons for this.

If the air temperature in the room is below zero, the water in the water heater may freeze. Ice forms not only in the tank, but also in the pipes. This leads to damage and tearing. It is impossible to leave water in the water heater when it is turned off and not used for a long time.

If the device is operated all year round, it must be cleaned regularly. Manufacturing companies recommend performing the procedure once or twice a year. The frequency will depend on the quality of the water. For cleaning, you will have to drain the water from the boiler.

During use, dirt accumulates in the tank, and scale builds up on the heating elements. It begins to act as a heat insulator. The longer the owner of the heater does not clean the heating elements, the larger the scale becomes. Because of this, electricity consumption increases by at least 20%. The liquid starts to heat up much more slowly.

It is necessary to completely drain the liquid if replacement of the magnesium anode is required. The procedure is carried out according to the standard scheme. Before starting work, the tank must be completely empty.

If a breakdown occurs, repair work to replace the heating element or fix any other malfunctions should be carried out with an empty tank.

There are a number of signs by which you can determine that the boiler needs repair or cleaning:

• the pressure becomes weak;
• the boiler heats up longer than usual;
• the device makes an abnormal noise;
• no liquid drips from the safety valve.

You also need to follow a preventive cleaning schedule. For each model, it is determined by the manufacturer and spelled out in the instructions for use.

The procedure for draining water from the boiler

Draining the heater fluid is considered a simple procedure, but it is not recommended to carry out it without reading the instructions. Each brand can be different.

Most often, according to the rules of operation, the manufacturer does not allow intervention in the system until the end of the warranty period. If the heater has a complex structure, do not disassemble it yourself to prevent damage.

Standard connection

The standard type of connection is recommended if a tee with a tap is installed in the pipe section from the heater to the safety valve. The liquid from such a system is simply drained, without the use of additional tools.

A typical connection diagram is as follows:

• heater;
• tap for water supply;
• a safety valve to prevent the backflow of fluid from the system;
• a tee for draining;
• tap for hot and cold water supply;
• mixer;
• shut-off valve to shut off hot liquid.

If the entire connection diagram is followed, it will take no more than 10 minutes to drain:

1. The boiler is disconnected from the network, the liquid supply is shut off.
2. Hot water is opened and drained from the tube through the mixer. The valve is left open during draining so that air can enter the system.
3. The drain hose is put on, the drain valve is opened.
4. As soon as the tank is completely empty, the shut-off valve is closed.

If air is slowly entering the system, it may take several hours to drain. To remedy the situation, you can connect a compressor to the hose. It will pump air into the system. It will be possible to plug the boiler into the outlet only after it is completely filled.

Advanced connection type

With this connection scheme, the tee is installed on two sides: at the inlet and outlet of the water. To drain the water in such a water heater, you must perform the following steps:

1. the tap at the entrance is closed;
2. the drain hose is put on;
3. the pressure is released by opening the mixer.

The hose is directed into a previously prepared container and the air supply valve is opened.

Simplified way to connect

The procedure for draining in a simplified way is as follows:

1. the liquid supply to the tank is shut off;
2. the remains of hot water are discharged from the hose, for this you need to open the mixer;
3. on the safety valve, the drain flag is rotated.

The complexity of this method lies in the length of the process. To drain quickly, it is necessary to ensure the flow of air into the container. It practically does not come out of the mixer. The problem can be solved by removing the hot water pipe.

Emergency water removal

Situations often arise when you need to quickly drain the liquid from the heater. In this case, you need to act as follows:

1. the cold water supply is completely blocked;
2. access of warm water to the boiler opens;
3. the pressure inside must be compared with the outside;
4. the hose is removed;
5. a tee with a relief valve opens.

It is imperative to first prepare containers for collecting liquid.

Draining the remaining water

The device of the boiler makes it difficult to completely drain the liquid. Part of it still remains inside. To completely drain the water from the heater, follow these steps:

• the main volume is merged in any of the ways;
• the decorative cover is unscrewed from the bottom of the tank, then the connection to the signal lamp is disconnected;
• electrical wires are disconnected;
• the flange is unscrewed clockwise, it is necessary to support the heating element;
• remove the heating element from the tank very carefully so as not to damage the walls.

A large layer of scale may form on the heating element, which will interfere with its exit from the tank. If resistance is felt in the process, you need to move the part gently from left to right.

The procedure for flushing and disassembling the boiler

If a large amount of sediment has formed in the tank, it can be removed manually by yourself. To carry out the procedure, you need to remove the rubber gasket. It is designed to provide insulation between the tank and the flange. The gasket must also be thoroughly cleaned.

The walls and bottom are rinsed under pressure. This is best done with a hose. To clean the water heater pipe, you need to connect cold water to the hot outlet. Inside the tank, the hot liquid intake tube goes to the very top. As soon as water enters the tube, it sprays and rinses the walls. You need to run the water in several stages in order to clear all the dirt from the bottom of the tank.

If, after cleaning, an unpleasant odor remains in the tank, you need to treat the walls with a vinegar solution. To do this, impregnate a sponge with a solution, wind it on a long stick and wipe the insides.

The heating element is also cleaned manually first.The top layer of plaque is removed with a knife, then the heating element must be soaked in citric acid to remove residues. To do this, you need a plastic bottle, a hole is made in it in diameter that coincides with the heating element. Hot water and citric acid are poured into the bottle. The part is left in the resulting solution for a day. After finishing the treatment, the softened layer is removed.

As soon as all the cleaning measures are ready, the boiler must be assembled and checked for leaks. After that, you can turn on the device to the mains.

Is it necessary to leave water when disconnected

If the owner of the heater is not at the dacha every day or is forced to leave the apartment for a long time, it is recommended to drain the liquid from the boiler to the very end. If there is no regular circulation in the tank, the water begins to stagnate and acquire an unpleasant odor. In addition, parts of the tank that are constantly in the water are subject to gradual destruction. Proper use and storage will help extend the life of your equipment.

The need to drain water from the boiler during idle time also depends on the quality of the liquid. If this is a central water supply, it undergoes preliminary treatment, but if we are talking about a well, there are many bacteria and microorganisms in such water. They begin to multiply rapidly. If there is a forced long downtime, you need to drain the liquid completely, and then start a new one.

All heating devices work according to the same principle, but the cleaning procedure may differ. It is recommended to carefully study the instructions for use, to follow the cleaning rules in accordance with the schedule suggested by the manufacturer. Competent care of the heating device will extend its service life.