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Rule #1: Use enough gun |
Should water heaters be drained periodically to help remove sediment from the tank? If so, how often? When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. Luke 11:21 "Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." -- George W. Bush | ||
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| Bookers Bourbon and a good cigar  |
We were in a high calcium area and had to drain every 30 days, about 5 gallons. Here in Arkansas i drain off a couple of gallons every 6 months. If you're goin' through hell, keep on going. Don't slow down. If you're scared don't show it. You might get out before the devil even knows you're there. NRA ENDOWMENT LIFE MEMBER | |||
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| Member |
Yes, and I have been told at least annually, maybe more if you have hard water. This was told to me by my home inspector, so I don't claim any independent expertise. | |||
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Nullus Anxietas |
We're on well water. We've been told to drain it about once a year. If you're on city water I guess "it depends?" "America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher | |||
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Member |
I do it for several reasons. It removes sediment but it also keeps the valve operating smoothly. The frequency depends on the water quality in your location. | |||
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Member |
Huh? We're supposed to drain water heaters? Annually? Hmmm, I guess I'm about 15 years over due then? Our water is generally clean and soft from the water company. Don't really have a problem with things like hard water deposits (at least not like people I know who live in other areas). Interesting - I'll look into this. "Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book | |||
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Master-at-Arms |
While we are on the subject of water heaters, how often do hou guys swap out the sacrifical anode? Foster's, Australian for Bud | |||
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| Member |
In most cases, you're better off leaving it alone until it needs to be replaced. If you decide to drain it, keep a cap handy for the hose bib. | |||
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Member |
Then I'm at least 21 years overdue, and who knows if the previous homeowners ever drained it. It's an AO Smith (gas) and has worked like a champ so far. My fear is that if I tried to drain it, either the valve won't open (frozen shut) or, once it is open, won't shut completely. At this point, I think I'll just leave it alone....  _________________________________________________________________________ “A man’s treatment of a dog is no indication of the man’s nature, but his treatment of a cat is. It is the crucial test. None but the humane treat a cat well.” -- Mark Twain, 1902 | |||
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Member |
Here in the limestone belt, I've never drained. Between my parents and myself, we've gotten about 45 combined years of service out of two water heaters, and they are still going strong. I'm in the if its not broke don't fix it camp. "The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people." "Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy." "I did," said Ford, "it is." "So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't the people get rid of the lizards?" "It honestly doesn't occur to them. They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates the government they want." "You mean they actually vote for the lizards." "Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course." "But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?" "Because if they didn't vote for a lizard, then the wrong lizard might get in." | |||
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| Lawyers, Guns and Money  |
I heard this and decided to try it. I hooked up a hose to the valve and put the other end into a 5 gallon bucket to collect the first 5 gallons of water after opening the valve. There was very little sediment in the water.... So I don't think it's really necessary to do every year unless you are in an area with a lot of hard water or whatever causes the sediment. "Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible." -- Justice Janice Rogers Brown "The United States government is the largest criminal enterprise on earth." -rduckwor | |||
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| Ice age heat wave, cant complain.  |
Do you find that you get the sediment out only draining a few gallons? Ive done this once before and had to empty completely, then suck the sediment out with a shop vac. NRA Life Member Steak: Rare. Coffee: Black. Bourbon: Neat. | |||
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Nosce te ipsum |
I would not exactly drain the unit. But a hose hooked to the draw-off, then the draw-off opened, will purge water and sediment together as makeup water is introduced under pressure in the traditional fashion. WH makers speak of their tanks having a swirling action to inlet water which is supposed to keep sediment at bay. The most I've ever seen come out is about a mouthful of grey/black water, then she's running clear. | |||
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drained ? our water is SO ! bad that they pull an access door off and scoop out gravel. four one gallon buckets , every 48 months or so Safety, Situational Awareness and proficiency. Neck Ties, Hats and ammo brass, Never ,ever touch'em w/o asking first | |||
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| Bookers Bourbon and a good cigar |
When we were in central Pennsylvania it was so bad badly the bottom heating element was imbedded in calcium ceposits. We used to see calcium flakes in our washing machine filter. First time i drained it, i made a scoop from pipe strap and then finished with a homemade attachment for my shop vac. If you're goin' through hell, keep on going. Don't slow down. If you're scared don't show it. You might get out before the devil even knows you're there. NRA ENDOWMENT LIFE MEMBER | |||
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Member |
That's what our furnace guy told us about ours (or some such). Best to just leave it alone at that point. It just went out 2 months ago but had lasted 20+ yrs. | |||
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Go Vols! |
Mine is in a garage closet. I put a hose on it and wash the garage floor a couple times a year, especially with the salt. Kills two birds with one stone! | |||
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| Nullus Anxietas |
I just tested ours. Installed a bit over six months ago. Just did a test by draining into a big bucket. (Home Depot-sized.) Came out pretty nasty. After about 5-6 buckets-full, it wasn't clear, but it wasn't real bad, either. Obviously that's not the way to do it. Turning the drain valve on/off and fresh water coming in puts all the finer stuff into suspension throughout the tank. I'd only meant to check it, then figured I might as well do a half-assed job while I was at it  Our tank has a screwdriver-operated ball valve for draining, rather than a gate valve with a handle. "America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher | |||
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| Go Vols! |
My new tank has that. Took me a few minutes to realize it was not a normal valve missing the handle. I was turning it wondering why the thing would not turn off ! | |||
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semi-reformed sailor |
I'd check it once a year. Be aware there are differing metal anodes and a combination....your local plumbing store (Ferguson Supply) will know which kind for your area. It's a TWO GUY JOB. Someone to hold (bearhug) the tank and someone to use a cheater pipe and a wrench to remove the anode. If the anode plug has a bump welded on top then get another one like it, you will have to trim off excess as they usually come in one length. "Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein “You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020 “A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker | |||
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