Can I drain my hot water heater with low point drain?

If you have any sediment in the water heater it may siphon back in the line instead passing directly out the HW drain port.

The best way to find out for sure is to open the low point drain, let the water drain out then remove the hw tank plug or anode rod and see if any more comes out.

Haven't done this yet on our current trailer but on our previous rv (Motorhome) the low point drain did not completely drain the tank.

I have a Passport, If I open up the hot water low point drain valve, the hot water will not drain untill I open the relief valve on the water heater, then it drains out..For the amount of times you open the valve, it wont hurt it, a few plumbers I have asked said exercising the valve is a good thing.

I guess one could move the valves to bypass position, drain thru the low point drain, then when all water is out, open the valves to the WH and see how much water comes out. if it is several gallons it probably will work?
bumpy

I have to open the pressure relief valve on mine for it to drain that way.. I do that between trips, but pull out the plug when I winterize.

Mitch

SDcampowneroperator wrote:
no

With two different water heaters in different campers, I agree with this.

YMMV.

I can drain mine by opening the cold low point drain and a hot sink faucet.

I do mine this way but it doesn't completely drain the tank. If I open the heater relief value it comes out faster.

As said above I really like the idea of pulling the anode plug as this is my yearly inspection of the anode rod. This is how I can get most water out of the tank by removing the anode plug...

Getting all of the water out of the water tank really isn't completely required as there is alot of room inside the heater for expansion if the water start icing up.

When I am doing my yearly inspection of the anode rod I also like to stick a wand sprayer up inside the tank and really clean it out good under pressure once a year as well... All kinds of junk flakes comes out with the flush...

Roy Ken

Lynnmor wrote:
Depending how your plumbing is laid out you may be able to drain most of the water. On mine it works if I open the relief valve.

This is what I am able to do.

OP --- try it on yours, then open the drain plug - see if anything comes out. :)

But you will not flush the CRUD from the bottom of the tank out.
What is the benefit of NOT pulling the plug?