This week’s Change The World Wednesday challenge is to prepare your home for winter. Here are the basic steps to winterize your water heater.
- Turn off the gas or unplug your water heater. If you are using a gas water heater, use a crescent wrench to move the valve perpendicular to the line. Make sure the pilot light has gone off and then turn the knob to the off position.
- Find the shut-off valve of your water line and turn the wheel-type valve clockwise.
- Locate the drain at the bottom of the tank and drain the tank using a water hose, a floor drain or a bucket. Turn the drain in a counter-clockwise direction to open. Open the air vent located at the top of the tank. Depending on the age and style of the tank, this process could take up to 30 minutes.
- Go throughout your house and open all faucets. Leave them open and drain the small amount of water that is left in the pipes.
- Wrap the pipe which lead to and from the top of the heater with insulation and wrap with duck tape to hold the insulation in place. Place a water-heater blanket around the tank. You can buy a specially designed blanket or create one with insulation and duct tape. This last step is not necessary, but is a good preventative step.
