After 4 years of RVing, and just when I think I am getting the hang of it, another lesson is learned the hard way.I am in the process of putting the TT away for the winter. So I am pulling the anode rod to drain the water heater. I disconnect the city water hose to releive pressure and proceed to unscrew the anode. Suddenly, the anode rod launches out of the WH under pressure and a sustained blast of water crashes into my face. If my sons had seen it, I would be the deserving recepient of a lifetime of ridicule. Lucky I did not have the water heater turned on. Or the embarrasment could have turned more serious.So removing the city water hose DOES NOT releive pressure. You have to open the faucets inside the rig. But I guess all of you already knew that. I guess I did too. But it is so easy to forget even important steps on these rigs. This is one step I will not forget again. File under "stupid"

Or, maybe you could try releasing the pressure relief valve by flipping the little lever.Glad you were not hurt. Seems like everyone does this once. Don't let it get to you.Oh...And if you think now that you've done that....Now you know it all. You probably don't.

Awwww, what's 40 psi between friends?I haven't done that (yet) but I have removed the anode rod when the water was still a little hotter than it should've been.

On our Arctic Fox, there is a small relief valve about a foot above the anode. I lift up on the relief valve when I am ready to empty the water heater and water comes out. It releases the pressure. I also use the relief valve to release the air so the water heater can fill all the way up.

I also empty the hot water lines first with the valve open so there is no water in the hot water heater. I always thought that even just having water in there could cause it to push the rod out.

Oh yeah. The relief valve thats right in front of my face. I knew that.

I'll never do that again | Good Sam Community

Oasisbob
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
I take a certian level of pride in being a pioneer of mistakes no one else thought of. But you win this round my friend. Laugh, live and learn. Thanks for sharing
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Aug 14, 2014
Water heater has a cushion of air at the top, acts like an "Accumulator" type pressure tank.. Also, some rigs have an Accumulator type pressure tank.
js6343js6343
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
I take a certian level of pride in being a pioneer of mistakes no one else thought of. But you win this round my friend. Laugh, live and learn. Thanks for sharing

lol.
imgoin4it
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
One good thing about the way you did it was you didn't have to rinse and flush much because it did it all by itself in a second. Ask me how I know.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
Unless you are in the plumbing trades, or have done a hot water heater R&R or two at home, you won't see this little gem flying your way. Always a new adventure when you own a big new toy with a bunch of different systems on it. 1st time can be a doozy.
Heap64
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
8/14 and you are putting away for the winter? We are just getting to my favorite time of the year to camp the fall.

Take care,
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
Honest people publicly detail their most embarrassing mistake.

In this case I will be dishonest and remain silent.

Get the picture? Hope this made you smile...
j-d
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2014
NAH! Got it topped! I was trying to replace the gas valve in an Atwood. The thing wouldn't turn so I thought I'd heat it with my propane torch. And that having a little water in the tank would protect all but the area I was heating around the stem of the valve. After awhile, valve still stuck, I notice the plastic drain plug is dripping. I loosen the plug...BOOM...GUSH...Steaming Hot Water...Soaked but Not Burned...Water Cut Trench in Grass...Never found Plug...
After I calmed down and IT cooled down, heated again, same spot, but with plug out so no water to absorb the torch heat. Valve came right out.
monkey44
Nomad II
Aug 14, 2014
This thread sounds odd to me, I've had two campers, both had pressure releases at top on tank, and both had WH drain plugs at the bottom of the tank, and it drains out empty in about two or three minutes. Open HW faucet when draining.

When I fill it, I open the hot faucet in the sink until water flows out without popping or hissing ... then we know it's full and no air pocket.
PenMan
Explorer
Aug 14, 2014
All I can say is been there, done that. We all live and learn, hopefully.

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