How to Flush Water Heater and Test Pressure Relief Valve

How to Flush Water Heater and Test Pressure Relief Valve on a Rheem Performance Plus Water Heater. A big maintenance item for a water heater is too service it by flushing the tank and testing the pressure relief valve.
0:00 - Intro
1:40 - Turn Off Gas
2:03 - Attach Drain Hose
2:40 - Turn Off Water
2:48 - Open House Faucet
3:01 - Flush Water Heater
3:24 - Close Drain Spigot
3:55 - Open Water Valve
4:15 - Turn Gas Back On
4:30 - Test Pressure Relief Valve
5:12 - Record Date of Maintenance
#waterheatermaintenance #rheem #flushwaterheater

[@MikeAMyers]

Another step would be to open the cold back up for a few minutes after it's finished draining to stir up any remaining sediment, shut off and drain the tank. Do this a few times especially if it's been a few years since you flushed it last.

[@nephidelacruz4941]

Tip: If the water tank will not drain, then close the hot water of the kitchen faucet, open the cold water line slightly and allow the water to drain to the hose. If the water continues to drain to the hose, then turn off the cold water line and open the hot water of the kitchen faucet to finish the draining of the water to the hose. Some water will drain to the hot water of the kitchen faucet, but it will eventually run dry and then continue the water drainage to the drain valve/hose. Our water tank is called the Rheem Classic Series Professional 50 gal gas heated water tank (2014 model).

[@gin.hollan]

Thank you - little things like recording maintenance are easy to over-look. Also, I appreciated you telling us why certain things needed to be the way they are.

[@Ghostacc956]

Thanks a lot man 👍🏽👍🏽 because of you and a few other content creators I was able to change out an old leaky hot water hose with confidence.

[@oldengguy]

Looks just like my water heater. Now I know how to do it. Thanks!

[@qpoo]

Very correct: watch a few videos before start. Video briefly mentioned turn on hot water tap before flush. The fact is that you need to keep the tap on. If that does not work, you need to turn on pressure relief valve. In my case, I had to keep the pressure relief valve on before I was able to drain the heater.

[@pastpianist]

God, finally a good video on how to properly do it! The switching to pilot was a nice trick since my gas knob is hard to get to. For those videos that didn't suggest shutting anything off, the ones I watched at least said it was fine because they only drained about 5 gallons of water out to flush the sediment since it should be mostly at the bottom -- they implied a full drain wasn't necessary

[@Nellem1613]

Very thankful for this video. The first one i watched did not mention turning off the water, or gas...

[@mrjeffreymister]

This is the best DYI on the internet! 💯

[@michaelaldrich3528]

Same issue as others in the comments. Had the kitchen sink hot water open and it still wouldn't drain. Had to open the pressure relief valve before I got anywhere.

[@thacker_6420]

Simple, to the point & informative. Thank you! I had never thought of just turning the thermostat to pilot.

[@matthewmillet3807]

Great stuff, thanks for posting!

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

I just installed a Rheem performance plus 50gal tank in my house yesterday. The manual recommends opening the bottom drain valve to purge only a few litres of water once per month with no need for annual total draining, no need to turn off. Very nice tank. Mine has a brass bottom drain valve.

[@robfeeney4909]

That's what the guy that installed mine said. Just hook up the hose and and open the drain valve and let it flush for ten miniuts . No need to to close intake valve or turn off gas.

[@JohnCap523]

Draining a few gallons wide open is sufficient if it’s done regularly. More important is exercising the TPRV (pressure relief).

[@littlemike2349]

thank you, just what I needed to know

[@careeryoungpros7269]

Very helpful, thanks for sharing!

[@user-qx1zt8mq4q]

Thanks worked out perfect !

[@rickybobby1681]

This helped thank you !

[@theflashyshow2817]

Hip hip hooray great job my dear friend you saved me few hundreds of dollars I really appreciated

[@exsxpx1]

You can open the T&P when you're draining the tank , that will let air in to facilitate the draining.

[@davidjon13]

Thanks dude. Great presentation. Clear and to the point in only 5:33. Perfect.

[@mje1625]

Nicely done! Understandable and, informative! Quick question: In other videos the cold water supply was kept on, explaining this provides more pressure to flush the tank. In your video (and mentioned on the tank) you turned the water supply off. Does turning the water supply off still provide enough pressure to flush the tank? Thanks!

[@rectolee2584]

Thank you very much 🙏

[@terrynashhartmann8419]

Just what I needed. I have the same water heater, in my garage, in Arizona! Wonder whether we're neighbors. Hahaha. Thanks!

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

I'm in Gilbert :-)

[@terrynashhartmann8419]

@@DIYAroundTheHome I'm in Tucson. BTW I have a water recirculating pump. It connects with a tee fitting to the same spot as the drain pipe. Do I need to shut off the water valves on either side of that before I drain the tank? (I don't want any sediment to accidentally get into the pump.)

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

@@terrynashhartmann8419 I would assume that to be the case though I'm not sure. Don't have experience with that set up.

[@michaelshih8163]

Good. I learned a lot.

[@miguelangelmartinezalejo4909]

Very helpful, well explained

[@michaelyacko321]

Thank You Very Much

[@wildmustangart1577]

Perfect!

[@ooopticnerveee]

Thank you for the clear steps on how to perform this at home! Will try it this weekend. By the way, water set to B?! The people who live there must really like their water hot! Lol.

[@mariop.2758]

Subscribed!

[@user-ok2zb3pf7f]

Super!

[@tonycd2709]

Great instruction however I wonder why the water never stops when I open the hot water faucet. I did turn off the cold water inlet.

[@JohnCap523]

First first thing to do is, back when it was installed, replace the crappy plastic drain. They don’t survive a few maintenances cycles.

[@georgesorisho1681]

Thanks.

[@kennyomega6795]

thanks for one of the best instructional video!!!

[@evelynlean2465]

Hi, I’m a new homeowner and I just moved in. After 3 days in, I got no hot water. I found that there was a pressure switch is open when it should be closed. Can u do a video on how to fix that or show me how please. I just couldn’t find the pressure switch. I have exactly the same as you heater. Thanks so much

[@techlord5573]

Thank you

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

You're welcome

[@georgetate6055]

Thanks for the video. I DO have a question for you, though. I also watched The Grumpy Plumber. He recommends doing nothing to your water heater. What do you think of this advice? It's easier to do nothing. Thanks again.

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

I generally listen to the manufacturer before others

[@tcrowley77]

Great video. I am slightly confused with how long to keep the pressure release valve open. is it just for a few seconds ? Is that done to get air out ? Thanks for taking the time to do this - very informative !!

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

A couple seconds works just fine

[@tcrowley77]

@@DIYAroundTheHome Thanks ! I am now a subscriber of yours !! Thanks for the info

[@teresaguerrrasalazar4964]

You did not say if you let the hot water faucet off or on after you let it out before draining the tank so when you came back to the kitchen water faucet was it open or closed.

[@beerborn]

I have the same model water heater as yours. When I drain the heater out, there is only a small water trickle. Does that mean the drain is plugged up? Are you suppose to turn the cold water inlet valve back "ON" to flush out the system so the sediments at the bottom can be disturbed ?

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Is the hot water in your kitchen sink or bathroom left open? If not leave it open.

[@beerborn]

@@DIYAroundTheHome Yes the hot water faucet in the kitchen is open. If the drain in the water heater is plugged up with residue they say poke it with a wire to break up the build up.

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

@@beerborn Can you see build up? Have you tried opening the pressure relief valve? That can help sometimes too.

[@rschmot]

Thanks for this. After you turned everything back on, I see you turned to "B", do you not have to relight the pilot light?

[@tonycd2709]

Yes, you do.

[@JudiVentress]

I see this is an old question but for anyone else reading: he turned it to "pilot" so he WOULDN'T have to light it and was able to just turn it back to the previous setting.

[@helinw]

Do you know if it’s normal when testing tpr valve, the water flow is small, like 1/3 of the flow in your video. Thanks.

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

I do think that can vary. There's a lot of variables at work

[@zauwee]

Thanks. The issue is knowing how much water to let out. Their manual is useless. I called Rheem, and they told me, “Fully empty it, and then open the cold water intake and let it flush for 20 min,” which I think is overkill, BS. If the sediment is on the bottom, I believe flushing 3 or 4 gallons would suffice. Anyone got any info on it?

[@cracksm3]

I just tested my valve. First water to come out was brownish and nasty looking then quickly came out clearer. After I stopped some water was coming out. More than just dripping but coming out like crazy. I read online to flush it a few times to clear the debris that may be blocking the seal. I did and it’s much better. It’s dripping a bit and the water is not hot so doesn’t seem like it’s dripping from inside. Could this be leftover from the long white pipe? The leaking is very minor.

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Most likely, just keep an eye on it and see if it eventually stops (or not)

[@johnnymata523]

Can I change the t&p valve from the side to the top ??

[@salvadorperez88sp]

I don’t have a water valve shut off on my heater it just straight line can I still do the same exact way

[@radsputiogramen8609]

I tried your way and no water was coming out. I called rheems and they told me to do the same and advised my valve was clogged with sediment. Still no water. I called my plumber and he said don't turn off the water and it worked. The water started coming out. No more popping from my heater.

[@Kiwitakimago]

When I turn my valve to the left with the hose on it very little water comes out? I keep turning until it almost falls off and still very little water comes out the end of the hose

[@dimaria8029]

🙏🏼😊

[@JAam430]

What happens if you don’t shut the hot water in the faucet and start draining the water through the hose?

[@mikemills2852]

Not sure I understand why you need to turn the water lines off? Also, how much water did you run during the flush (all of it or just for like 10-25 seconds to get the crud off the bottom?

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Ran it for several minutes

[@jkjwf]

Good info! How long did it take for yours to drain? Mine is past 20 Minutes and still going strong

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

It went about that long

[@jeffreyhaynes4533]

The title of the video says, 10 minute annual maintenance...

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

It's about 10 minutes worth of work. You're free to watch the water drain for 20 minutes if you'd like. I usually get inside to watch football or do something fun.

[@1asdfasdfasdf]

I'm in Chandler, AZ. Tank has been installed for 5 years and I need to drain it do to a gas control valve failure. It must be encrusted with heavy water deposit because I can get any water to come out. Even after removing the supply line to eliminate any vacuum. Any thoughts? Thanks

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Our water in Arizona is pretty bad from a deposit standpoint but five years isn't a whole lot of time so I'm kind of scratching my head too wondering what's up. What is the model number of your unit and have you tried finding the manual and looking at the troubleshooting section?

[@1asdfasdfasdf]

@@DIYAroundTheHome Can't thank you enough for the quick reply. I went over to Ace and bought a washing machine line (female connectors on both ends). Connected the water heater drain line to the water spicket and hit it with some back pressure. That did the trick. Had all kinds of solids coming out of it. Water is now draining clear.

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Nice, yeah definitely try to do it every 12 months at a minimum our water out here in the desert is really bad. I was lucky in that the place we bought has a water softening system but even that I'm sure it's going to need some major overhauling sooner than later since the house is 18 years old

[@marcostudd]

my heater has that exact same plastic drain valve... it's ANNOYING as hell waiting for that much water to leak out soooooooo slowly!!! lol. i'm going to Home Depot tomorrow and replacing it with a full port ball valve. that'll make it easier for future flushes... with that plastic valve, sediment doesnt' really escape.. it's too little and not enough exit force.

[@miked8710]

My water heater is in the attic and there is a pipe that runts from pressure relief valve to the side of the house. As another way to flush, can't you just release the pressure relief valve?

[@Woodruff70]

No. The pressure relief valve is towards the top of the tank so you won't flush out any sediments that way. After draining the tank as shown here you might turn the cold water supply back on just briefly to stir up any sediment at the bottom of the tank while the bottom drain valve continues to drain out the water.

[@ericcarr7557]

I've followed every step, and I even tried opening the pressure relief valve as other videos and comments suggest, and my tank still is not draining?

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Maybe try calling their customer support? Sounds like an odd situation

[@dollofshadows1703]

You could easily have just waited a few hours for the tank to cool down, correct? I have to drain the Rheem Performance I have to replace the leaking plastic valve (like the one in this video) But I'm a little apprehensive about opening the flood gates on scalding hot water... Also, how safe is it for us DIY'ers to pull that TPR valve? I've heard some conflicting things that you should leave it alone, and others that it's perfectly fine to do...

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Hook a house up to the valve. Drain it. Then work on the valve to remove it. There should be videos online, watch a few of those and I'm sure you'll be fine

[@MariaRamirez-zk7pu]

I turned off my water inlet then proceeded to open up faucet. However, mine keep running. It didn't stop as in your video. What steps do I need to do next?

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Do you have another valve that turns off the water? Maybe you turned off the wrong one?

[@veltonmeade1057]

My Honeywell 24v box does not have a "Pilot" point. So where do I turn the switch to? Low? That is the lowest off point available. But there is an "On" and "Off" switch.

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Is there a model number on the device? Of you could find that I'd try and look for the user manual to find that answer.

[@veltonmeade1057]

@@DIYAroundTheHome Thanks for the fast reply. The model is: WV4262E1107. It is connected to my 38G, Platinum Performance Rheem water heater.

[@walkerinmotionllc8618]

Ours has a small slow leak coming from the spidget...noticed it last week. We bought the home which the Rheem was already installed, no Manuel....

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Probably only a matter of time before it goes bad. Is the area where it's located ok if it fails? If it's like mine (in a garage) then you can probably wait until it goes bad before replacing as it wouldn't do any damage to your property... but if it is located in a place where water leakage would lead to costly repair then it might make sense to change it now. Is there a date on the tank of when it was manufactured or installed?

[@walkerinmotionllc8618]

@@DIYAroundTheHome it’s just like yours, gas. It was installed 3/19/2018. I’ve tighten it and its still leaking a tad. It’s located in our garage with the plastic tub on bottom.

[@walkerinmotionllc8618]

I don’t want to tighten it to tight because I have heavy hands and don’t want to strip it.

[@walkerinmotionllc8618]

It’s leaking from the actual opening where you drain water from...

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

That's new enough that it shouldn't be having issues. Where exactly is it leaking on the top? Also if the tub over flows will the water do damage elsewhere?

[@hugoramirez2392]

How do I know when it’s fully drain

[@danielaquintyne7111]

Your directions are good except the water on my Rheem did not drain until I opened the pressure valve.

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Did you have a faucet in the house open?

[@thomasramirez1187]

@@DIYAroundTheHome are you supposed to leave the faucet on? or do you turn it off after it has stopped running hot water?

[@sawyerbennett8227]

@@thomasramirez1187 you leave the faucet open while draining the tank

[@MSolve1]

When I turn the drain valve counter-clockwise, the whole pipe turns with it. I feel like the drain valve will be detached from the tank. A day later after messing with it, my water heater starts leaking, which is clearly not from the water supply from the top. Do I need it replaced?

[@mariop.2758]

Did u end up resolving this by tightening the counterclockwise drain?

[@MSolve1]

@@mariop.2758 Tightening it resolved the issue--- the leak eventually stopped. I almost replaced the water heater because it was still under warranty.

[@mariop.2758]

@@MSolve1 cool

[@ChattanoogaDave]

Have you have had issues with the pressure relief valve. Mine is leaking. The thing is a little over 2 years old.

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

No not at all

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

I know a prv isn't expensive. Might be worth replacing it. Some good videos on KZbin that go over how to do it.

[@jeet-Seattle]

Do you have to tirn off the electricity? Or just turn off the gas or to pilot ,thanks

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Just the gas/pilot

[@eatlaughandstupid4430]

I was told to leave cold water on to get more pressure

[@IamtheBilliam]

I tried this today and everything went fine until I went to open the valve. It seemed like the whole pipe was spinning with the valve. I had water trickle out from under the pipe so I was worried I was going to have a mess. I tightened it back up and there was hardly any water in the hose. Is it your experience that they move the entire pipe when spinning this valve?

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

The valve meaning your water supply? As for water not coming out of the hose did you open a kitchen faucet?

[@IamtheBilliam]

@@DIYAroundTheHome the valve as in the drain valve on the bottom of the tank.

[@thacker_6420]

If you watch him in the video the hose turns with it. So yes the pipe turns also.

[@andresfeliperamosromero3060]

I bought this water heater kzbin.infoUgkx8G49mV71sAzUl9shXyLW-r3XgHH9EVh1 for use in my bus conversion. I installed it under my kitchen sink and it is fed by a high efficiency on-demand LP water heater. It is both a backup hot water source as well as a water saving device since we have hot water on demand rather than having to wait for the gas on demand water heater to finish its ignition cycle. I decided on this water heater due to the fact that it only draws 1300watts when it's ON instead of the 1500 watts that most Water heaters this size draw. In an RV a couple hundred watts can be a big deal. With very low standby losses, I don't have to worry about excessive power consumption. When propane is not available for our gas water heater, in conjunction with our low flow shower head there is enough hot water available to shower, albeit we won't be taking "hotel showers." Also very happy with the recovery rate of this water heater. Granted, it is quite small, but it does exactly what we need it to do.

[@aa1bb2cc3dd4]

Why wouldn't you test the pressure release before draining? That would save you waiting around for "normal operating conditions".

[@colbywilcox4486]

I concur with that.. if you have sediments in your water supply. one would want to know the valve would perform under the routine use..

[@cristian9955ify]

Do you turn the water valve off that goes into the tank??

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

No just the gas valve going into the tank... and the water valve leaving the tank

[@gerrogero9059]

My hot water heater at the pilot it has very hot, then C, B, A, then hot, low, Vac, pilot and then off my question is can just turn down the temperature just by turning this know to hot? Or do I have to turn off the power to it and remove the top and bottom panel to adjust the heat, because its way too hot. Please respond to my questions

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

You can turn down the heat. You have three heat settings (A, B and C).

[@gerrogero9059]

@@DIYAroundTheHome thank you for your very quick response, Far more than i even hope for, i will go and turn down the temperature, i will sup to your channel thanks again.

[@user-xo3fh2zx5j]

You are beautiful. Never stop being you.

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

😊 thank you

[@SAULMOTIONART]

Is a 40 gallon enough for to 2 showers

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

I think so 40 gallon glass a lot unless you take super long showers and a ton of them

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Gotcha, yeah the drain valve shouldn't leak in any place aside from the actual opening where water is supposed to drain from. Is your unit like mine? With mine all I did was tighten the house on (clock wise) hand tight... then loosen the grey circle thingy counter clockwise to let the water out.

[@Fatal_-FN]

I have this same model but when I connect the hose and followed your instructions, no water comes out of the hose.

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Read through the comments on the video, there were some people that were like you and this question has been seemingly answered several times. Best of luck I'm sure you'll get the answer from all the great people that have jumped in in the comment section

[@kedricvance1128]

Can this resolve water hammering?

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

No, but check out the video on my channel where I install water hammer arrestors on my laundry machine lines. Did the trick!

[@MW-xm1rc]

Testing the pressure release valve? NO, UNLESS YOU HAVE A REPLACEMENT VALVE IN YOUR POCKET!! A lot of them don’t fully close after testing.

[@iLazarus_xD]

Nothing a hammer can’t fix

[@SteveFrench_420]

My dumbass dad installed a new heater in his house. Connected everything correctly then flipped the breaker. Went back upstairs to wash his hands. No water. He didn't turn the water on. Burnt out the elements. 😂

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Ouch!

[@RIPSAWONE]

My Electric Rheem says 125-130 top and 120 bottom. The problem is the thermostat has widely spaced marks. Totally worthless. They say it was set at the factory. Eyeballing it, they look similar. but with no real marks on the thermostat on where it should be, their engineering sucks. How can you really set it correctly????

[@stevencole7331]

Allot of water to go down the drain in the desert . Capturing that water for domestic use would be prudent .

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Maybe big agricultural can find a way to siphon residential water tank draining and repurpose it... they use the vast majority of water

[@stevencole7331]

@@DIYAroundTheHome if you use others as an excuse for not doing anything is a sad state of affairs . I also live in a desert and I utilize that expensive water for watering plants and other purposes that may have went down the drain . If you don't care about saving resources it also helps to save your hard earn cash . Most times it's being lazy . I also could do better . All it takes is baby steps and if many make those steps things can improve .

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

"On average, each Arizona resident uses about 146 gallons per day. About 20 percent of the State's water supply is for municipal use, and most of this is residential. Up to 70 percent of that water is used outdoors (watering plants, swimming pools, washing cars, etc.)” 70% of 20% is a pretty small number... an even smaller number is the percentage of that 70% that goes to draining water tanks. If you want to spend your time better (saving our precious water) you might want to hit up the comment section of a billion other videos before this one.

[@DontHalfStep485]

KZbin

[@desertlandscapecreations577]

This NOT how the plumber who installed my Rheem water heater told me to flush the heater.

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

What did they say?

[@desertlandscapecreations577]

he said do not turn anything off, just hook up hose and turn it on for 15 mns. I have a 2021 Rheem Professional for my home. So now I'm confused (because I have seen other videos telling me to turn off those things)

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

@@desertlandscapecreations577 what does your user manual say? I have to think the manufacturer knows better than some install guy who may or may not have a lot of expertise

[@desertlandscapecreations577]

@@DIYAroundTheHome good point...I will check after work

[@meandmyself3007]

Can I trust you ? I have one like your and wanna flush it

[@DIYAroundTheHome]

Never hurts to read the Mfr instructions. That'd be the safest way to go.

[@randycollens2681]

At that flow rate, how is that going to flush anything… title should be drain, not flush. You’re not getting any sediment out, guaranteed!

[@jwayne777]

I'm shocked this piece of garbage is working after 6 montjs.

[@cavitycreep]

Change the anode rod every couple of years, it will make it last 20 or 30 years