Terminology Tuesday (Tricks of the Trade) – How to Drain a Hot Water Heater

(Note: I think it’s important to know the terminology and words used when learning any new business including mobile home investing. I came up with ‘Terminology Tuesday’ as a way to go over the terminology used in the mobile home business. It’s important to know the terminology when talking to people in the business so you’re all on the same page).

**** Tricks of the Trade is a new series I have started that will be included with “Terminology Tuesday” posts. The goal of this series is to share with you the “tricks of the trade” I have learned in the mobile home business.

When moving a mobile home, you always want to be sure you drain the hot water heater before the move. Why?

Well, as Murphy’s Law goes “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” And, let me just say – you definitely don’t want to have a hot water tip over and/or begin to drain itself in the middle of move. Believe me, it’s happened – I’ve heard the horror stories.

(Note: Despite what some may say, even if the hot water heater is secured – shifting does happen during the move, you definitely want to be prepared for the worst!)

Now, I’m going to tell you – the mover (in general) will not usually care much about the preparation on the inside of the home for the move. Basically, what they will be concerned with is the breakdown and set up of getting the home moved from one location to another.

It’s going to be up to you to do the prep work to prepare the home before the move. For me personally, I try to get this done the day before – it’s definitely not fun to be rushed with the prep work on the day of the move!

(Note: For those interested, I will be writing a follow up post down the road with more details on the prep work necessary for a mobile home move).

Since draining the hot water heater is one of the necessary items involved, I’ve decided to showcase how to do it here on an actual one I did.

First, you will need to find the location of the hot water heater. Usually, it will be behind a panel in the closet of the master bedroom (usually in newer homes) or behind a panel of siding on the outside (usually with older homes). Once you have located the hot water heater, you will need to remove the panel typically with a screwdriver (as it’s usually being held by screws).

Next, you will need to have a small garden hose (long enough to go to the outside of the home in order to drain) in order to attach it to the hot water heater.

Locate the attachment and connect the hose to the hot water heater.

Run the hose to the outside of the home (usually through the back door) in order to properly drain the hot water heater making sure it is draining water away from the home.

After attaching the hose and running it to the outside of the home, be sure to turn off the gas (if a gas heater) usually located on the hot water heater by a red lever or electrical switch located in the breaker box (if an electric heater). Once the gas or electric has been shut off, then locate the release valve on the hot water heater to start draining the water.

Here’s a short video on the process step-by-step:

Video Link

I hope this “Terminology Tuesday” post has been helpful and has given you some useful information – it definitely has for me.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂