Getting all the water out winterizing the water heater

korbe wrote:
I put a small tube hose type tube to the open drain plug opening and syphoned it out.

X-2

I put a small tube hose type tube to the open drain plug opening and syphoned it out.

This is what I do:
- turn off water pump
- open all faucets
- open low point fresh water drain
- open water heater drain

What remains in the lines and in the heater has not been a problem in the past 6 years. No guarantees, though ;-)

realter wrote:
How do you get all the water out of the water heater when winterizing. I know you shouldn't put anti-freeze in there, or maybe you can. Otherwise do you just let what remains in the tank freeze? Thanks.

I unbolt the drain plug and let it drain till no more comes out.

At that point, what tiny bit that's left is too small to expand and do any damage.

Read this, lots of good info... this,

I always blow out my water lines with a compressor both ways. I connect an air line inside to the water lines to push as much water out of the water heater as I can. The first time I did it I was surprised how much water still come out after draining the tank. I have been doing this on my trailers for almost twenty years.

Drain hole is above bottom of water heater so about a quart of water can be left when drained.
This amount of water will not cause an issue cause there is lots of open space inside tank for water to swell when it freezes.
Drain it/flush t to get crud out/clean threads up/install drain plug (so threads are protected and critters don't crawl inside set up house)


IF it really bothers/causes you worry..wet/dry shop vac with small necked tube that can go in thru drain hole. Suck remaining water out......BUT not necessary

MIne has extra drain tubes and a ball valve to separate it, but it may be a part of the extra insulation/winter package I have.

I get most of the water out by pulling the plug on the trip back home after every outing, the driving & turning gets most of it out. If there is a very little left in the tank during winter I have been told that it is not an issue if this little bit freezes.

Done this on all 4 of my campers and never had a problem.