Drain the sediment out of the water heater tank once a year, a resident's own home along FM 140 west of Pearsall, Frio County, TX 78061 (own-home, best-estimate location near the town center) (2026-09.

How this work is done

A documented method, so this packet comes out the same whoever does it.

Steps

1. confirm with the resident whether the planned sediment drain has ever been adjusted from its factory setting, then turn the gas water heater's control to its pilot or vacation setting per the manufacturer's shutdown steps and close the cold-water supply valve. This rung never touches, lights, relights, or adjusts the gas line, pilot light, burner, flue, or venting at any point. It never opens, tests, or operates the temperature-and-pressure relief valve itself; operating it can prevent it reseating.
2. Let the tank cool for the manufacturer's stated cooling period before opening the drain valve, since the water inside starts scalding hot.
3. Connect a garden hose from the drain valve to a safe drain point or an outdoor area clear of foot traffic, open the drain valve, and run water through the hose until it flows clear of sediment, briefly opening a hot-water tap elsewhere to help clear the line if flow slows.
4. Close the drain valve, disconnect the hose, reopen the cold-water supply, restore the control to its running setting, and confirm hot water returns to the taps before finishing.

What counts as done

• Confirmation that the manufacturer's cooling period was observed before the drain valve was opened
• Photo of the drain hose routed to a safe drain point or outdoor area
• Photo or note confirming the drained water ran clear of sediment before the valve was closed
• Confirmation that hot water service was restored to the taps, and that the gas line, pilot light, burner, flue, venting, and the pressure relief valve were never touched

Proof is measured against these, not judged by taste.

The standard this serves

Weatherization Readiness. Weatherization readiness is the survey that turns a cold, expensive-to-heat home into a fundable plan. Following the Department of Energy's program, the surveyor maps where the house leaks air, which attics and walls lack insulation, what fresh-air path must follow the tightening, and which safety checks must clear first. Mastery looks like a walkthrough that ends with a package a weatherization crew can price without a second visit. This packet is one piece of one such survey, done carefully and written down, so a real family's real house gets closer to warm.