Flushing Hot Water Tank

[Bearsixty7]

I've been here 25 years almost. WH was here before that, probably late 80s or so. I think I've drained it once or twice and found nothing of note, though I may not have known what to look for. No idea what these rods are or where they might be if mine has any. I don't use a lot of HW either because it runs the electric usage up so much.



I know this post just jinxed me .....

Here's a quick video with the details.

 

[Richard]

I needed a breaker bar to remove my anode. I don't know if they simply had an ape tighten it or if they had a sealant (like super glue perhaps lol)

 

[grsthegreat]

I had to use an impact driver on mine

 

[SARG]

Just a couple comments from experience. I service my electric heater at least once per year to remove sediment and check the anode rod. Did my one year old Rheem about a month ago and found so much sediment in the tank I'll now do the service every six months.
A beneficial option is changing the crappy compression drain valve from the factory with a 3/4 ball valve specifically designed for draining .... about 25 dollars that saves a lot of aggravation.
I'm on a well with a new pump so I also flush the crap out of the pressure tank first. (Our one year old tank had a lot of "mud" and crap in it)
Then ... drain the heater and remove the elements ( I always replace them as a preventative measure cause they're cheap ). I use a wet vac with a length of heater hose to vacuum out the sediment through the bottom element hole..... Also check the condition of the anode through the same bottom element hole. Haven't replaced mine yet but have two anode rods available for when mine shows deterioration. ( I regret not removing the anode once before installation to make sure the factory seal can be loosened. )
We live in a mobile home so the project involves moving furniture and a wall panel to get at the system ....... but after 30 plus years we now have it down to about two hours.

 

[RalphVa]

Greetings,

I was brought up to flush the HW annually. Recently, a plumber told me that it isn't done routinely anymore. Do you do it or have you heard its not needed.

Also, the tray under the tank has a bit of water in it. I'm assuming this is from condensation. But how much is too much -- when does it indicate a leak or other problem?

Ours is calendared in Outlook to do quarterly or every 6 months. Don't remember. Just have to open the valves for a minute or 2.

 

[SARG]

Something to ponder about the "quick flush". Opening a compression type valve does not remove much of any sediment .... at least that's been my experience over the years. I've drained the tank numerous times and when the lower element is removed I find a significant amount of crap.
Even with the dedicated 3/4" ball valve the crap still remains within the tank. This last time it was almost to the level of the bottom rod.
My perception is that it's a "feel good" measure that does not accomplish much of anything. I suspect the type of water you have is critical ....... ours is "hard" well water.
I'm personally glad we do not have a gas unit because the sediment build up & longevity of the tank is predetermined by water quality.

 

[GeneV]

I've always heard to drain and flush once per year UNTIL I moved into this here house of mine with a new high-efficiency heater. I drained a couple times, then found the instructions to water heater which say to just drain off a few gallons via drain valve once/month. In my mind that's brilliant, makes way more sense (and way less work) to get out sediment regularly rather than having it build up throughout the year. 1st of the month, I just open the valve wide open for 30 secs or so, end of story. I don't even detach the hose, I just leave it there as is. So easy.




As far as the water collecting under the tank, check your pressure relief valve. I used to occasionally get water collecting down there, thought I had a problem too, and then finally realized it's the relief valve occasionally leaking. This is what a I do now:




With well water, once you pop that relief valve (which I was doing to drain the tank), that thing will never sit back down quite right again. So that's where the water would occasionally leak from. I started putting the plastic cup down there, just drain that off when it gets water in in it. No more water under the tank.

 

[Bearsixty7]

I had to use an impact driver on mine

Same

 

[5030]

Greetings,

I was brought up to flush the HW annually. Recently, a plumber told me that it isn't done routinely anymore. Do you do it or have you heard its not needed.

Also, the tray under the tank has a bit of water in it. I'm assuming this is from condensation. But how much is too much -- when does it indicate a leak or other problem?

Usually water in the pan is a leaking T&P valve, easily replaced. Far as flushing goes, that depends on the amount of minerals in your water (if it's well water). I flush mine monthly because we have a lot of calcium in the water, yours may be different. My personal view is plumbers caution against flushing a HWH because they are looking at premature replacement. I'd ignore that entirely.

Even with our well water and mineral content, our HWH will last a minimum of 10 years, but then again, it gets flushed monthly.

My opinion, take it or leave it, your choice entirely.

 

[CobyRupert]

Usually water in the pan is a leaking T&P valve, easily replaced. Far as flushing goes, that depends on the amount of minerals in your water (if it's well water). I flush mine monthly because we have a lot of calcium in the water, yours may be different. My personal view is plumbers caution against flushing a HWH because they are looking at premature replacement. I'd ignore that entirely.

Even with our well water and mineral content, our HWH will last a minimum of 10 years, but then again, it gets flushed monthly.

My opinion, take it or leave it, your choice entirely.

Do you throw out and replace the entire HWH when the element fails. Do the minerals eat through the tank? What’s in the water that does this and do you drink it?

I have 4 water heaters in house and apartments. I have calcium / limestone “chunks and flakes” that form in my “HWHs”. I’ve never flushed my hot water heaters in between changing out the elements. Elements need changing about once every 10 years when they get buried in minerals , overheat, and burn out. ).

Perhaps if I did flush it every month the “flakes” would be small enough to travel out, but I doubt it. The “chunks” are so big, sometimes they will only barley fit out the opening for the heater element or need to be broken up first. Only my trusty ShopVac with some tubing duct taped to suction can clean it out.
Once, I had to replaced the thermostat. I’ve never had to replace the tank.

P.s. I’m sure everyone knows that they’re not really HWH’s, they heat cold water. -Sort of like: Say “toast” ten times fast. Now answer: What do you put in a toaster?