I can't get my water heater to drain. I tried tips that I read. Pushing a coat hanger up the drain, and even back pressure from a faucet. All I got was dribbles. What I thought was strange was the water was clear. The water heater is 8 and 1/2 years old. It has a brass drain valve. So now what? Do I just use it until it fails?
![656406]( "656406")
Can't Drain Hot Water Heater. Now what?
Unsworth
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Easy way to find out …
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I see that you have a gas water heater so my story won't apply.
However someone else may use it. My neighbor would drain his water heater yearly and vacuum out the sediment. He would remove the lower element, connect a short bent piece of conduit to his shop vac and suck out the sediment. It worked fo him.
I went with a whole house filter and a water softener to take care of that issue.
However someone else may use it. My neighbor would drain his water heater yearly and vacuum out the sediment. He would remove the lower element, connect a short bent piece of conduit to his shop vac and suck out the sediment. It worked fo him.
I went with a whole house filter and a water softener to take care of that issue.
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Do note that water softeners shorten the life expectancy of HWTs. It's in the manual for the tank. You'll have to change the anode or tank more often.
Cheers!
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… and your point? …
When you change the valve make SURE it is a FULL FLOW BALL valve. I change mine immediately on moving in or purchase. Look through the valve there is a marked difference.
Yes they do cost a bit more.
Yes they do cost a bit more.
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I run the ball valve also, but use a cap, like the pic previously posted, in case of accidental opening.
Not likely, but I can see someone in my household hitting the handle and walking away.
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You better call a repair guy then. Mine heats hot water. As it cools down, but it's still hot, the thermostat calls for more heating. So, essentially, it heats hot water.
So, check your thermostat first.
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I'll a test to that.
My 18 year old WH was in fact clogged I took a wrench and removed the drain valve completely then used a coat hanger.
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I suspect the point was to call out the fact that calling the appliance a hot water heater is silly. It is a water heater. The only hot water it heats is to maintain the temp after the initial cold water has been heated.
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I don't have any 3 way switches...they only work from 2 ways.
"back flow preventer on the hot"
First thing, turn off the water heater heat. Turning it down to "vacation" is not low enough"
Try opening some cold faucets.
I would not remove the drain valve to drain the tank. The water inside might still be hot and might suddenly gush out and you jump aside and helplessly watch all 40 gallons spill out onto the floor.
First thing, turn off the water heater heat. Turning it down to "vacation" is not low enough"
Try opening some cold faucets.
I would not remove the drain valve to drain the tank. The water inside might still be hot and might suddenly gush out and you jump aside and helplessly watch all 40 gallons spill out onto the floor.
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Thank you. I thought I was the only person who realizes there's no point in having a "hot water heater."
Another example how we get dragged down to the lowest common denominator.
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The thread is 3 years old, so the audience may be reduced.
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