How long will it take for an average gas water heater to cool down before draining it into a cistern in my 123-year-old house’s basement due to gurgling caused by rust, debris, and sediment?
Asked by Everett Roberts 
2 months ago
Last Updated: October 14, 2024
Hey there! I’m dealing with a water heater draining situation in my 123-year-old house. I’ve got a cistern in the basement, so I’m planning to drain it there. Just wondering, how long does it usually take for a gas water heater to cool down? Any tips on what I should watch out for during this process? I noticed some gurgling after using the dishwasher and shower, and after some research, I found out it might be due to rust, debris, or sediment. It’s my first time doing this, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Draining the water heater isn’t all that useful. It’s best to flush it with pressure. There are plenty of YouTube videos demonstrating how it’s done.
How old is your water heater? Typically they last around 10-12 years. If yours is older, it’s best to replace it rather than draining it for the first time.
Mentioned the importance of proper maintenance for water heaters.
I’m honestly not sure. I only moved in this May.
Jennifer, see if you can find a date on it.
Nope, they don’t. If your water quality is good, there’s no need to drain a regular tank water heater.
I’ll be honest… I rarely go down to the basement because of all the spider webs 🤣🤣🤣
The water quality here is extremely poor.
Jennifer, I totally agree! If it’s older than 12 years, you should start thinking about getting it replaced.
You’re welcome, ! 😉
It’s recommended that drains her water heater every 2-3 years, regardless of water quality.
Before you need hot water, simply turn it off and make use of the water for your immediate needs. It’s recommended to drain the heaters annually to keep them in good working condition.
You mentioned a gurgling sound, what do you think is causing it? It’s most likely coming from the drain, not the water pressure. They’re two different things. If the water heater is making popping sounds, then yes, it could be sediment buildup inside the heater.
Oops, I think I may have used the wrong word there – it’s more like a popping sound. It’s kind of funny to hear, honestly. I placed my hand on the water heater and could feel the vibrations through the outer shell.
If I were you, I’d switch the thermostat to vacation mode and run some hot water in the house to lower the temperature of the heater. It’s best to turn off the water supply and let it drain. After draining, keep the drain valve open and turn the water supply back on. Let the water flow until it’s clear. Then close the drain valve. I also suggest replacing the anode rod. By changing the rod every 3 years, you can extend the life of your heater to over 40 years, depending on the quality of water. Most people forget to replace the anode rods, which is why heaters only last 8-12 years.
Hey, big thanks to ny Ziegler!
Are you looking to empty out an old, rusty tank into your cistern?
Hey, it’s basically a pit in the ground with bricks around it. It’s meant to lead water into the soil. The water heater is actually located in the basement…
Oh I see, it’s not a cistern that you’re currently utilizing haha I understand now
Oh no haha. It’s simply an old house that still has one. However, there’s a convenient spot to drain it to instead of lugging buckets up some dodgy brick steps haha.
Look for a spot at the bottom where you can connect a garden hose with a valve to open and close for draining or controlling the water flow. You can then drain the water into 5-gallon buckets and transport them to a suitable dumping location. If the interior is rusty, it may contain debris that could potentially clog your cistern’s plumbing and introduce metals and bacteria into the water—avoid using hot water for drinking.
As soon as the power is turned off, you have the option to drain it if you wish. Alternatively, you can switch off the heater and use the hot water for a few minutes, or wait for about an hour.
I attached a valve with a knob to my drain and connected a garden hose to it. I open the valve periodically while the water is at full pressure. Some water heaters start running clear after just a few seconds. I once had a heater with 2 inches of sediment (I cut it open to see). I had to use a wire to push the sediment away from the valve so that it would drain properly.
Use all the hot water first to avoid wasting energy, then proceed with draining.
The hot water inside shouldn’t be hot enough to cause damage, but it’s always good to be cautious. Shut off the power source, but keep the water running and let a hot tap run for a minute. This will bring in cold water to cool everything down. Allow cold water to flow in as it drains. If the tank is old and has never been drained, there is a risk of breaking when draining now.
Oh wow…. yeah, that’s really good information to have. Someone occupied this place for a year or two at some point, but then it was empty for about 15 years before…