Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PRWEB) October 02, 2012 -- “Whenever it is necessary to change an element in an electric heater, leave the heater unused over a freezing winter, or when the heater needs cleaning, it must be drained,” according to Bob Beall, master plumber and president of Mr Rooter Plumbing Pittsburgh.
An electric water heater will need to be drained prior to replacing the unit, as well.
According to Mr Rooter, “to drain a heater open both its drain valve and the T&P valve (or a hot water faucet in the house) to break the vacuum the water will pull as it drains.” Beall adds, without breaking the vacuum, some water will always stay in the heater.
TRADE SECRET: Hard water can build scale that reaches the bottom element in a just a few months. If the heater is not drained, the element will be covered by the scale and burn up.