Draining hot water tank

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I’ve lived in AZ for over 30 years and I can’t believe i didn’t consider the hard water issues here. Thanks for jogging my memory! It has now been drained.

Branson N Tucson wrote:
I Drain my water heater at least twice a year.
This is due to the hard water and calcium build up.we spend our winters out here in Arizona.
You wouldn't believe the white chunks that come out. We also have a soft water heater in use.

That is my suggestion as well. I had to replace a tank once and the old tank had a good 2 gallons of "Crud" (as described above) when I got it out. Regular draining and flushing can reduce that.

Suggestion get a length of plastiv ribbed "Irrigation" pipe. 1/2 inch thrad. When you remove the plug or anode immed thread the plastiv pipe in the hole (about six to 8 inches should do it) then open the TPR valve manually (STAND BACK) this way the water is "piped" beyond the edge of the RV. You can store the pipe in the outside water heater access area.

Never understood people's resistance to draining their water heater. It take 4 minutes at the most. I drain mine after every trip as I find no need to haul an extra 80 pounds to the next camp trip. Who's going to fill up a thermos bottle with water, let it sit for several months and then drink the contents?

Yep.. I put a 5 gallon bucket under it and it overflowed.. :)

So, you just gotta do your own due diligence. That's why I pulled the plug to make sure it was empty. I had no wear on my anode, so I'll go with it for awhile.

Thanks! Mitch

MitchF150 wrote:
I did remove it just to check that very thing. It was completely drained and nothing came out the drain hole.

Some OEM's install a Check valve on the cold intake of the WH. If so, then your method will not drain the WH tank. So, if someone wants to use your method, they need to then remove the Anode or lower drain(Atwood/Dometic) and see if water comes out. If it does, your method will not work. If no water, then use your method. Doug

If the water came from a municipal water supply, it contains chemicals necessary to prevent organism growth in the water. It is probably better to keep the tank full to minimize the amount of oxygen in the tank which can promote growth on the sidewalls. If it is filled with well water, or water of an unknown source, than drain it if you cannot fill it with water from a municipal source.
If you have municipal water available you can drain and fill it every few months if you are concerned about odors.

I did remove it just to check that very thing. It was completely drained and nothing came out the drain hole.

MitchF150 wrote:
The comparison to a home HWH is not really relevant.. Unless you let your home HWH sit for months without using it at all?? I know my folks drain their HWH before they Snowbird for 6 months..

Bet you use yours everyday.. :)

To let 6-10 gallons sit for months... I'd just drain it.. Couple of weeks, sure leave it alone..

I have a anode rod in my new trailers HWH... I don't want it just dissolving away for no reason because I don't want to drain 6 gallons of water..

I drain mine by opening the low point drains and then open the pressure relief valve and it all drains without any tools.

Whatever works for you is the way to go in the end..

Good luck! Mitch

Have you ever removed that anode rod after "draining" using the low point drains? I would be very surprised if you don't get a good bit of water out when you remove the rod.

ezgoin wrote:
Hi everyone,

Is it necessary to drain the hot water tank when the MH is sitting for several months between trips? I live in the SW so freezing temps are not a problem.

Thanks,
Bill

Sunny AZ...
Freezing temps NOT an issue BUT HARD WATER IS

Drain the dang water heater...it takes but a few minutes

Simple...don't make things complicated

The comparison to a home HWH is not really relevant.. Unless you let your home HWH sit for months without using it at all?? I know my folks drain their HWH before they Snowbird for 6 months..

Bet you use yours everyday.. :)

To let 6-10 gallons sit for months... I'd just drain it.. Couple of weeks, sure leave it alone..

I have a anode rod in my new trailers HWH... I don't want it just dissolving away for no reason because I don't want to drain 6 gallons of water..

I drain mine by opening the low point drains and then open the pressure relief valve and it all drains without any tools.

Whatever works for you is the way to go in the end..

Good luck! Mitch