Getting all the water out of the water heater

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

I do use a plastic tube to siphon as much water out of the heater as I can.

I do this as well, although I agree that there is close to zero chance of freeze damage from the quart or so that remains in the curved bottom of the heater.

After I drain the water heater and with the plug still out, I pump the pink stuff toward the tank just for a second or two to fill the short section of line at the tank. I will then switch the bypass valve and I am done with the tank except I will place the drain plug back in a couple of turns to keep out things. I also tie a bit of red flagging on the exterior tank access door to remind me that the plug is not tight.

I use a small shop vac, with a short piece of small tubing, necked down with duct tape. It gets the last of the water, in about 2 seconds.

I put the anode back in, which will now stay dry, over the winter.

Jerry

robsouth I guess it is the difference in where we live. No bugs in winter in the freezing north. Had -2C here last night so bugs are all gone.

Don't leave the drain plug out unless you want bugs in your hot water tank.

Hi,

I do use a plastic tube to siphon as much water out of the heater as I can.

I leave the pressure valve open and the drain plug out and I would think that evaporation would take care of the bit left in the tank as I usually winterize long before freeze up.

2oldman wrote:
no

Long version answer of no is; The remainder has sufficient room to expand in an otherwise empty vessel. The water will expand in the direction of least resistance and so expand harmlessly.

I open the sink HOT WATER SPIGOT when doing the low point drain and this usually drains down the water heater with just a little bit of water left in the bottom of it.

Then I switch it out using my HW BYPASS valves..

I usually leave the high pressure valve opened at the top of the Hot Water Heater over the winter months.

We just drain our fresh water tank and do the Compressor method here for pushing out all of the water in the lines and then add some pink stuff to the P TRAPS. This is a great method for us as we can go camping again at a moments notice. Just re-fill the fresh water water tank and we are ready to go again. Only takes about ten minutes using the blow-out method for us.

We have done this camping in the mountains several times when the temp drop below freezing overnight.

Roy Ken

no