Chaney B says, I am about to head over to the home we are buying to clean. It has already been de-winterized once for the inspection, but was re-winterized to wait for closing. I was told and have read on your page online to just run the water and it would flush it all out, but I want clarification on the water heater part. When I turn the water on, will it automatically start filling it up? Do I turn it on at the heater? How do I know when it is full enough to turn the heater on? How long will all of this take?
I can’t find good information on this and you seem to know more than anyone I’ve seen on here… I appreciate any help you can give me…

Open up the hot side at one of the sink or tub faucets, the valve at the water heater may or may not be turned off, if it is turned off turn it on & begin to fill it up, having one of the sink or tub fixtures hot water side turned on will allow the air out of the water heater & you will know the water heater is full when the water starts coming out of the faucet. I usually go around & let the air out of the other lines at this time as well. Now you can tyrn on power to the water heater if it is electric, if you turn on the power to an empty water heater it will blow the elements & they will have to be replaced.