Draining Water heaters?

[MOB]

What's the word on draining water heaters? If an older (say 5+ year old) water heater has never been drained will it damage or hurt it in anyway? What is a standard schedule for draining a water heater? and finally do any of you regularly recommend draining (as maintenance) water heaters?

[hausdok]

I've always recommended draining the muck out annually and replacing the anode rod somewhere withing 5 to 7 years into the life of the tank.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[Mark P]

I don't see how you would damage it, just by flushing it. If it is an electric water heater be sure the power is off before "draining" it. I tell my customers to flush them once a year. Which reminds me it has been 3-4 years since I last flushed mine. Hum - It looks like a nice day to wash the cat.

[Jim Morrison]

You can't damage a tank by flushing it, but you can break a drain cock that hasn't ben used in years by opening it. Caveat Drainer!

[kurt]

Some dependence on local water quality; Chicago has "good" water. I've never flushed a water heater in my life.

I know folks that live with private wells that have to do it every year.

I never tell folks to flush it.

[Terence McCann]

With good draining pratice & maintenance they will last about 12 years. Ignore it and they will typically last about 12 years.

[randynavarro]

I'm with Kurt.

I've understood we have very soft water here. I don't tell folks to drain tanks.

I've actually never drained one myself so I can't say from experience if that hold true or not.

[Marc]

I replaced my own water heater a couple years back that was original to the house that I bought 7 years ago. When I drained it, the water was clean throughout. We depend on a water well for our water. I guess water quality is worse in some places.

I don't recommend periodic flushing to anyone.

Marc

[plummen]

i generally reccomend 5-10 gallons out the bottem monthly

[Bill Kibbel]

Why not recommend/follow the manufacturers' maintenance instructions instead of makin' stuff up?

[Marc]

There's one?

Marc

[Bill Kibbel]

I don't have time to look stuff up this morning. I think American says to drain every 6 months. I think Bradford White says to drain 1-2 gallons each month.

[hausdok]

Rheem says a few quarts every month.

I don't tell folks to completely drain them. I just tell them to run off about 5 gallons (approx 20 liters) into a bucket once a year. It's always worked well for me.

ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!

Mike

[barlyhop]

Here in Wisconsin we have high iron concentrates in many wells. It is not uncommon to hear a tank "gurggling" while the burners are active. Of course this is only true when the tanks are in use for some period of time as opposed to new. The gurggling is caused by sediment build-up in the tanks and interferes with the heating ability of the unit. These tanks must be drained on a regular basis for them to function efficiently.

My own gas water heater failed in 9 years, yes I am on a well.

It would seem that draining recommendations need to be made on a case by case basis as opposed to a standard.

I have not found this condition to any mentionable degree in homes with a treated water supply.

Randy

[john_opwin]

I think it's the fault in your anode wire.

[Rob Amaral]

I tell folks to follow the mfgr's instructions and to get a threaded/gasketed cap because the valve may leak once you open it..

[john_opwin]

Drained water heater is really not good, try to get it new otherwise you can change its rod.

[plummen]

Drained water heater is really not good, try to get it new otherwise you can change its rod.

I know my word skills really suck,but can someone explain that one to me? [:-monkeyd

[Les]

Jim.

I am not sure who this "John_Opwin" really is. He/she will post something then kinda fades away.