If you use a storage boiler, you should know the features of its maintenance. You may need information on how to drain the water heater during repair or tank cleaning. The draining process depends on the type of connection. We will tell you how to do the work yourself, without calling the wizard.
Do I need to drain
It is simply necessary in such cases:
- The boiler is located in the country or in another unheated room. It will not work the whole season, so it is recommended to drain the water for the winter. At minus temperatures, ice will form, which will lead to breakage.
- Tank cleaning. There are several reasons, the main one is scale. Due to the hardness of the water during heating, heavy deposits settle on the surface in the form of plaque. Over time, it becomes stony and interferes with the normal heat transfer of the heater. Electricity consumption increases by 25-50%, but there is no sufficient heating. The development of bacteria also indicates the need to drain the water from the water tank.
- Magnesium Anode Replacement. Any work is carried out only when emptying the housing. It is recommended to change the anode once every six months or a year. Magnesium attracts impurities, not allowing them to settle on the walls and lead to corrosion. They corrode its base, and not the material of the device.
Should I empty the tank? These signs will prompt you:
- Noise during operation. RCD can also often work - this indicates an abundance of scale inside. Pieces fall to the bottom and create noise when heated. How to clean the water heater, read a separate article.
- Flow. The reason is the joints, worn elements, corrosion of the housing. Then you need to urgently carry out repairs.
- Low pressure. Probably the aisles clogged. Cleaning in progress.
- The device does not heat water or heating has to wait a very long time.
- Safety valve leaks a lot of water or stays dry.
When to drain it is impossible:
- You will not use the equipment for the season and want to turn it off. It is worth starting from temperature indicators. If the mark does not fall below +5 degrees, then some water can be left. Experts have proven that in the complete absence of fluid, the body corrodes more quickly under the influence of oxygen.
- With a short shutdown of the device.
- With warranty. Otherwise, they will become invalid.
- For the sake of experiment.
How to flush water
Features of the drain do not depend so much on the brand of equipment (Gorenje, "Electrolux", "Atlantic"), but on the type of connection. Consider how to work on popular boilers.
Important! Before starting, unplug the boiler.
Water heater "Termeks"
You will need a gas wrench, a drain hose.
Working process:
- Use a key to shut off the cold stream (2).
- To avoid vacuum, open the hot tap (7) on the mixer.
- Let the water drain to the mark. This will happen within 2 minutes.
- As soon as the fluid has left, do not close the mixer (5). Open the tap and drain the water (4) or twist the nuts at the inlet of the cold stream.
- Connect the rubber hose to the heater threads. Lower its other end into a sink or deep container.
- To drain residues, disconnect the hot water outlet from the chassis.
- After removing the nut, the contents will finally merge from the system.
The method is suitable for small appliances, the maximum capacity of which is 20 liters. Watch the video on how to do the work yourself:
Technique "Ariston"
Prepare tools for work: open-end wrench 32 and 24 mm, slotted screwdriver, hexagon 4 mm.
- Close the water.
- Open the hot run on the mixer so that the pressure decreases.
- To allow air to enter the housing, open the faucet at the point where the hot stream is supplied.
- Connect the hose and open the drain cock.
- It is necessary to pour out all the liquid from the boiler.
This method is suitable for boilers of 50 and 80 liters.
Through safety valve
Why do we need a safety valve, we told in a separate article. The part is used to relieve excess pressure and to drain fluid. A similar type of boiler connection is made after the purchase of a shop master. The service is inexpensive, but when you need to perform a drain, the user will encounter problems.
What should be done:
- Block the water.
- Open the mixer and let the remaining liquid drain.
- Turn the lever on the drain valve, wait until the contents have completely drained.
It will take a very long time to wait, especially if you have a 100 liter boiler. If you have a valve installed without a lever, then you will have to mechanically remove the water.
It is impossible to dismantle the part, so you can squeeze the spring yourself, as shown in the picture:
To merge the contents completely, and at the same time check the status of the heater, do this:
- Remove the screws of the bottom cover.
- Disconnect the wiring.
- Unscrew the flange bolts, sometimes it is enough to turn it counterclockwise.
- Unscrew the flange together with the heater.
- At the same time, the remaining liquid will merge.
Inspect the item; descale if necessary.
Recommendations of specialists
So that independent work does not lead to damage, adhere to the recommendations:
- Before starting, unplug the appliance.
- Before proceeding to drain, take a look at the instructions, study the features of the design and connection.
- Wait for the liquid to cool to avoid burns.
- If an unpleasant odor appears, it is necessary to drive about 100 liters of water through the boiler every two months.
- Before connecting to the network, check that the tank is full.
Now you know how to do it yourself. The metal case is susceptible to corrosion, salt deposits. But with proper care, the boiler will serve you for many years. Follow our tips and install filters to improve water quality.