draining hot water heater

[kidice28]

I heard you should partially drain your water heater once in a while to prevent sediment and other stuff from forming. Is this as simple as hooking a hose to the spigot and turning the valve or do I need to turn it off first or disconnect it in any way.
thanks

[Wgoodrich]

You would need to be sure to turn off gas or electric to water heater. Then hook a garden hose to bib at bottom of water heater. Then open drain valve and open your pressure releif valve if you wish to gravity drain this water heater.

If you wish to pressure drain this water heater then hook the garden hose to the bib below. Turn off electric or gas to water heater and open the valve to allow water to wash out redidue collecting in the bottom of the hot water heater tank within.

Many people don't do this and wait till an element burns out then scoop the lime out of the water heater when element is removed if your heater is in an area it can drain on the floor then flow out of a garage floor etc.

Just some thoughts

Wg