Hot Water Heater Won t Drain | How to Fix

A hot water heater that won t drain is a massive pain to its owners. While it is frustrating, it is not that difficult to find a solution for that. In this article, we are going to tell you everything about hot water draining issues and every possible solution you can try.

What is Causing Your Hot Water Heater Won t Drain

There could be many reasons behind hot water heater won t drain. But if you did research you probably find out that a clogged drain valve is the main cause of hot water heater drain won t happen. But just because something is common, we cannot say it is the same for everyone. So here are some other reasons for hot water heater won t drain.

• Sediment buildup inside the tank
• A faulty or damaged drain valve
• The water heater’s design
• The water heater’s installation

But before you jump to a conclusion do proper troubleshooting.

Sediment buildup inside the tank

Sediment is the solid material that accumulates in the bottom of a water heater tank over time. Typically, this material can include sand, dirt, minerals, and other debris that enters the tank along with the water supply. As the water is heated, the sediment settles at the bottom of the tank, where it can cause a lot of problems.

One of the most common problems associated with sediment buildup is reducing or completely blocking water flow. This is the most common reason behind hot water heater won t drain properly.

Not only that sediment accumulation at the bottom of the tank can also cause the hot water heater to run less efficiently, resulting in higher energy bills and a shorter lifespan of the unit.

You can clean it out in most cases. To prevent sediment buildup and keep the hot water heater functioning effectively regular maintenance, including flushing the tank and cleaning the sediment buildup is needed.

A Faulty or Damaged Drain Valve

The drain valve is a small valve at the base of the water heater that allows you to connect a garden hose and flush out the tank. If the drain valve is clogged with sediment, rusted, corroded, or broken, it may not open correctly or at all. This can prevent the water from flowing out of the tank and cause it to remain stagnant.

A faulty or damaged drain valve can also pose a safety risk, as it can leak hot water and cause burns or damage to your floor. It can also increase the pressure inside the tank and cause it to burst if not relieved. Therefore, it’s important to fix or replace a faulty or damaged drain valve as soon as possible.

Draining your water heater regularly can help extend its lifespan and performance. However, if your drain valve is faulty or damaged, you may not be able to do so easily. By following these steps, you can fix or replace your drain valve and restore your water heater’s functionality.

Try troubleshooting. If none of the methods work, you may need to replace the drain valve entirely. To do this, you must unscrew the old drain valve from the tank using an adjustable wrench. Be careful not to damage the threads on the tank when doing this. Then, you will need to wrap some plumber’s tape around the threads of a new drain valve and screw it into place tightly. Make sure there are no leaks before turning on your water heater again.

How to Troubleshoot Your Hot Water Heater That won t Drain

Remember to turn off the power before any troubleshooting. If it is heated by gas stop the gas supply. Then stop the cold-water supply too. After that follow bellow steps.

1.  Get a garden hose. Connect it to the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater tank. Make sure the other end of the garden hose is in a location where hot water or sediment can be safely drained away.
2. Open the drain valve and watch if the water and sediment drain out of the tank. Try opening the pressure relief valve if nothing came off. It will release any built-up pressure at the top of the tank.
3. If the water still won’t drain, check the drain valve. It might be clogged or damaged.
4. If the drain valve is working correctly, but the water still won’t drain, the problem may be a clog in the tank itself. In this case, you can try flushing the tank with water to remove any sediment buildup. To do this, close the drain valve, turn the cold-water supply back on, and let the tank fill up. Once it’s full, open the drain valve again to flush out the sediment.

If you still cannot find out what causing hot water heater won t drain, you may need to hire a professional plumber to inspect and repair the hot water heater.

Is a Fully Replacement Necessary

Depending on the problem you may still save your hot water heater without replacing any part or one or few parts. This applied to both sediment building and clogged valves. However, in some circumstances, a full replacement is the wisest thing to do.

Especially if your hot water heater is old and has been repaired multiple times, it may be more cost-effective in the long time to replace it with a newer, more efficient one. Additionally, if there is any extensive damage to the tank, such as rust or corrosion, a replacement may be necessary to prevent leaks or other safety hazards.

If the problem is in a single component replacing it will be enough. It is cost-effective, especially for new heaters. In the case of our problem, the draining valve could be replaced if the problem is there.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a water heater that won’t drain can be a frustrating problem that can affect its performance and efficiency. However, there are several ways to unclog a water heater that won’t drain, such as back flushing, forced air, coat hanger fishing, or replacing the drain valve. These methods can help you remove the sediment and mineral deposits that block the water flow and restore your water heater’s functionality. Draining a water heater regularly is also important to prevent future clogs and extend its lifespan.