How much water needs to be emptied from a water tank.

Gca5031243
by Gca5031243
When periodically cleaning sediment from a gas water heater do you have to shut off the Gas? I don't have a nearby drain, will a 5 gallon bucket suffice?

  3 answers
  • Sharon Sharon on Apr 20, 2018

    Yes you need to turn off the gas, no a 5 gallon bucket isn't enough (most tanks are 50 gal), you can use a long garden hose to the outside.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6-SquuvHFE

  • Gca5031243 Gca5031243 on Apr 20, 2018

    Thank you Sharon. I was always under the impression that you only needed to drain enough water until the flow was clear and not the entire tank. Have I been misled?

  • William William on Apr 20, 2018

    Being in HVAC for well over 10+ years the rule of thumb is to drain ONE gallon of water ONCE a month. Don't need to turn anything off. The sediment settles on the bottom and that is all that needs to be flushed. Anytime fresh water is introduced into the tank impurities are also introduced. Any one who is draining the whole tank is wasting water, introducing impurities with the fresh water ,and reducing the life of the tank.