Water Heater Disposal

[jayste]

Landfill metal dumpster..The End.

Thanks guys for the responses. Thomas, If I was to guess this is exactly what I did with mine..tossed it in a roll-off dumpster somewhere.

 

[nue2farm]

I saved mine. It did not leak, just bad elements. Since it was of an unknown age, we replaced it. I plan on cleaning it out and using it for a water storage tank at my cabin. Beats hauling five gallons a day when staying a while.

 

[forgeblast]

mother earth news has articles on making a wood stove from one, a stile from another, there are lots of things to do.

 

[AHNC]

I saved mine. It did not leak, just bad elements. Since it was of an unknown age, we replaced it. I plan on cleaning it out and using it for a water storage tank at my cabin. Beats hauling five gallons a day when staying a while.

Having had to carry water to the cabin I lived in for a couple years, eons ago, I'd suggest that you look into bacteria growth and Legionella disease to make sure you don't get any surprises. Storing, draining and refilling over a period of time can create a wonderful atmosphere for bacteria. It is a heck of a way to loose 10-20 lbs

Tank water heaters, the glass lined versions almost always leak at a tank penetration. The specification for their approved construction allows up to 1 sq" of open metal/sqft of glass. In a used tank that had been open to the atmosphere for a period of time the corrosion accelerates. Once the anode is consumed the water looks for something else to "consume" and the open metal is perfectly satisfactory.

 

[pat32rf]

What to do with it depends on if it is gas/oil or electric and why it was replaced? A lot of different answers depending......

 

[jayste]

What to do with it depends on if it is gas/oil or electric and why it was replaced? A lot of different answers depending......

I see your point, Pat. It's electric.

 

[Taylortractornut]

I have a friend that lives in an old canvas tent. Its fashioned like one from the Civil war and als has a TeePee. He saw some old water heater tanks out in my material piles and showed me the Mother Eart article on the heater and had me make a pair for his tent and Tee Pee. He says they work very well, Lots of things can be made from them a heater, roller, feeder, trough. I saw some when I was down in St Augustine last summer, they were cut lengthwise and made some nice strawberry planters that were on legs to make picking easier.

 

[Iowachild]

Our local auto crusher takes them free of charge.

 

[nue2farm]

Having had to carry water to the cabin I lived in for a couple years, eons ago, I'd suggest that you look into bacteria growth and Legionella disease to make sure you don't get any surprises. Storing, draining and refilling over a period of time can create a wonderful atmosphere for bacteria. It is a heck of a way to loose 10-20 lbs

Tank water heaters, the glass lined versions almost always leak at a tank penetration. The specification for their approved construction allows up to 1 sq" of open metal/sqft of glass. In a used tank that had been open to the atmosphere for a period of time the corrosion accelerates. Once the anode is consumed the water looks for something else to "consume" and the open metal is perfectly satisfactory.

AHNC, thanks for the heads up on that, may have to rinse with bleach after use.

 

[pat32rf]

If the leak is in the top half, you can cut the top out and use it for steaming lumber so it can be bent, as long as the bottom element (if it is an imersion type) is submerged.
You can also use it for a heated water bucket for animals (thermostat may need to be recalibrated)
Split it lengthwise and use the tank for a wood fired barbeque.
If the elements are shot but the pressure tank is OK you can just use it for increased hot water storage along with a good tank (or a storage tank for a geothermal system)
Cut the pressure tank in two and use the halves for scrap metal storage/disposal in your workshop (add lifting loops and dolly wheels)
Do NOT use it as an air tank!