A partial draining can also be preventative maintenance to keep sediment from building up.

This is typically recommended every three to six months.

This is done at the electrical panel bydisabling the circuit breaker or fusepowering the water heater.

Electric water heater next to blue gloves, red bucket and yellow garden hose for draining

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Next, turn off the water supply to the water heater.

Turn the valve clockwise to shut it off.

This is where water comes out of the water heater.

Materials and tools to drain an electric water heater

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

You need somewhere for the water to go as you drain the tank.

initiate the garden hose to a floor drain if you use that option.

It is either on the side or the top of the water heater.

Yellow garden hose attached to drain cock on electric water heater

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Look for a valve that has a tube leading downward.

Flip the lever on the T&P valve into an up position to open it.

it’s possible for you to do this by waiting a few hours.

Pressure release valve opened on electric water heater

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

This can help lower the water level in the tank while removing some of the heated water.

Some drain valves have a handle.

Others have a short handleless stem with a slot for a flathead screwdriver.

Shower head running water to drain electric water heater

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

If you are doing a complete drain and are using a hose, let the tank drain until empty.

When using a bucket for a full flush, you should use rubber gloves to avoid getting scalded.

Fill the bucket and open and shut the valve as many times as needed to empty the tank.

Flathead screwdriver turning valve stem to drain electric water heater

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Empty the bucket or remove the hose.

Restore Power and Water

With the tank drained, you might perform any maintenance required.

T&P lever turned downwards to close valve

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Water supply turned on by turning shutoff valve

The Spruce / Kevin Norris