[X-Runner]

I have searched and searched this, but nothing is coming up that is helping me on this problem.

I am trying to flush my water heater. Its just a typical GE 55 gallon(i think) stand up unit that sits in a closet with my central air unit in the hallway of the house. I have read and reread and watched videos on how to flush it. Seems real easy and i have been a mechanic in the past. So i have a strong mechanically inclined mind.

For some reason, when i open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank, no water comes out. At first i though that maybe it was vacuum locked and needs to be vented at the top of the tank, but this did not help. I next thought that perhaps it is blocked with debris inside the tank at the valve. Pretty likely that is the problem. This thing, im sure, has never been drained. Its not that old of a unit judging by the way it looks, but i have no way to know. Ive lived here for 5 years and it was here.

So i used my air hose from the garage to try and blow some air back into it in hopes that it would maybe clear it out a little bit. I have a commercial grade air comp. that can go to 175+ PSI(this is left over from my mechanic days:thumbsup. I attempted to shove around 120 PSI into the valve, but it did not help. Still nothing comes out of the drain valve. I gave up trying...

I am left wondering what is the problem, obviously. But i also wonder how important this really is? I just heard from a guy at work about flushing the water heater to keep the debris out of it so it will heat more efficiently and last longer.

Should i be worried that i cant get it flushed? Or should i just ride it out and wait till some day when i replace it and then keep up on the new one?

Sorry for the long post... Thank you for your time!

 

[oh'mike]

Howdy,Mechanic---You may be to late on that heater.

Flushing water heaters is much like using your emergency brake.

Do it regularly or don't do it at all.--That valve may be stuck closed---or will drip when closed again.

The lime in the bottom of that heater is likely congealed into a rock and could not be broken up without removing the spigot and chipping it out with a rod.---Mike----

 

[X-Runner]

Howdy,Mechanic---You may be to late on that heater.

Flushing water heaters is much like using your emergency brake.

Do it regularly or don't do it at all.--That valve may be stuck closed---or will drip when closed again.

The lime in the bottom of that heater is likely congealed into a rock and could not be broken up without removing the spigot and chipping it out with a rod.---Mike----

Ok, yea... thats sorta what i was thinking about. Oh well, i will just ride this one out. Thanks!!

 

[oh'mike]

Good luck--if it drips---get a hose cap for a buck and call it good!---Mike---

 

[X-Runner]

Its not leaking. A few drops came out when i first opened it, but nothing after that. So im done with it and will just replace it eventually. I will keep up with the new one. Thanks again!

 

[oh'mike]

Mine has gone many many years (23) without flushing. You will be fine.

 

[biggles]

drain is cold water pressue from the street if you did 120psi the valve is blocked...the relief is 30psi shut the cold blow the relief and remove the drain its packed with crap:wink:

 

[AllanJ]

Did you open a faucet up in the house before blowing compressed air in the hot water tank?

Turn off the water heater and let the water cool down for two days before taking off the drain valve to poke inside. Otherwise very hot water might gush out and you will have to jump aside and by the time you get things under control all 55 gallons are on the floor. Also have a cap on hand before starting this project in case you can't get the valve shut off completely

 

[X-Runner]

I didnt open any faucets during any of it. But i am just gonna ride it out cause i dont want to empty it on the floor and my wife would go nuts without hot water for 2 days.:boxing:

 

[biggles]

on the day your attacking the HWH..put the gasvalve to pilot and let the wifhy empty the last hot water out the cold will remake up in the tank and your set to pop the drain valve..you said you put 120psi on it and nothing with water in the tank it might of deadheaded at the drain...blow the relief if you do the air pressure again all you did was pressuriZe the exsisting water:thumbup:

 

[DIY_Rob]

I'm curios what are exact STEPS from start to finish to FLUSH water heater. I'm in new house and would like to do so. I've lived here 3 years and havent so far. Should I just leave it alone or start to do every year starting now? It's a new home only 3 Years old.

Two part question

Becuase its already 3 years old..should I even start to do it or just leave alone?

and If YES I should do it ... what are Steps to Flush ?

Thanks Rob

 

[AllanJ]

General instructions on flushing water heater.

1. Turn off heater (set knob on gas heater to "pilot").
2. Turn off cold water supply.
3. Open a hot water faucet or two upstairs.
4. Open water heater drain valve and let out a couple of gallons or until water runs clear.
5. Close drain valve. Use a garden hose cap if valve doesn't shut off completely.
6. Turn on water.
7. Wait for water to gush out of open hot faucet before closing the latter.
8. Turn the heater back on.

Gas water heaters are more sensitive to collected sediment compared with electric water heaters although enough sediment will shorten the life of electric heaters also.

You can inject compressed air into the drain valve as step 4-1/2 above if the water doesn't come out by itself.

Optionally or as a repeat process you can omit steps 2 and 3 letting water pressure flush out the sediment.

If you poke a coat hanger wire up the drain valve it is easy to damage the valve so it does not close completely.