Winterizing

RedRocket204 wrote:

danimal53 wrote:

Kylesmith3021 wrote:
I drained hot water tank and just kept plug off for winter..

is this recommended? by plug, do you mean the thing that has the anode rod?

this is the only part of winterizing I'm unclear on, do I want to leave my water heater open to the outside all winter? I dont know if something can get in there, or the tank could corrode etc.

I've read time and time again where many leave the anode rod out or loosely screwed back in but never a reason why.

When I winterize my WH, I use compressed air (45 psi) in the city water connection and first drain the WH until there is mist being forced out. If you stick your finger in there, you can feel a lip where there is about 1/2"-1" of water still left in the WH. I will use my hand to cut-off the mist to let pressure build back up, release and water will come out until pressure reduces. Repeat 4 or 5 times until almost all the water is removed. Then I will finish blowing out all the other lines and lastly check the WH and repeat the pressure process if needed. I then torque the anode rod to appropriate torque and leave it. It has never been an issue.

So, do as you want but I do not believe torquing the anode rod back to spec an issue while winterized.

last year i left it in, loosely. my thinking was, if there is a little water left in there, it has room to expand without increase in pressure. I also "tip" my TT towards the water heater, to help get as much water out as I can (just raising the opposite side of the TT).

i use compressed air for all the water lines, but not for WH as you mentioned. i use my hand the same way on the low-point drains, letting pressure build to force air out. I think I'll do that on the WH this year.