[antonioellis]

Hello. I’m trying to be a good homeowner and drain my hwt. I connect the hose and it drains some. Open the relief valve and that didn’t help. Opened a faucet and nothing there either. If I turn the water intake back on drains. Thoughts / Suggestions?


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[chandler48]

You are doing right, but you also have sludge in the bottom of the tank that is clogging up the outlet. Sometimes turning the water back on (faucets closed and T&P valve closed) will force the sludge through the hose. Keep an eye on the other end of the hose to determine if this is happening.

 

[antonioellis]

You are doing right, but you also have sludge in the bottom of the tank that is clogging up the outlet. Sometimes turning the water back on (faucets closed and T&P valve closed) will force the sludge through the hose. Keep an eye on the other end of the hose to determine if this is happening.

I did this with only hot water faucets open. Should I try with cold too?


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[antonioellis]

I did this with only hot water faucets open. Should I try with cold too?


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Ah wait I misted you. Yes I open the water. It drained some that way but once I turned it off it stopped after a bit.


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[chandler48]

Open only the exit valve on the water heater, at the bottom. No faucets and no T&P. Open and close the exit valve several times. Sometimes crud lodges up against it. The force of incoming water will help pressure clean it hopefully.

 

[lenaitch]

It sounds like you are trying to flush it, not drain it. If you want to drain it, and actually get to point of water coming out of the drain, make sure you turn off the heat source (gas or electric) so you don't do any damage.

 

[SW Dweller]

The plastic piece of crap on the bottom of the tank is WORTHLESS. What I do is get a brass nipple of the right diameter, 3/4" I think and long enough to put a FULL FLOW Ball valve on it and the hose adaptor.
Close all of the valves and then remove the plastic and install the brass nipple being careful you will only loose 1 or 2 gallons, do not cross thread it.
I only open the T&P on the tank. Valves else where just makes it harder. IMO Drain tank down hill when empty open cold water and flush the tank (fill and drain) until the water runs clear. Usually takes me 3 times. Shut off the valve fill the tank with water bleed hot water faucets in the house until no air, (shower and tubs work great) THEN turn the water heater back on.