Forum Discussion

Geterdone's avatar
Geterdone
Explorer
Sep 30, 2021

Hot water tank

When one drains the 6 gal hot water tank, by opening drain plug and releasing pressure how much water remains in the tank? Reason for asking.......

I drained water lines, tank, etc and put a compressor on the winterizing suction line and moved valve at the water pump to winterize, I left inside valve on normal, each time I applied air pressure I had water come out of hot water tank.

Could it be blown in from main tank residual water? Or is there water left in hot water tank after draining?

Steve
  • There is some water left in the tank when draining... how much? I do not know. But I have never worried about getting every last drop out before winterizing.

    My normal MO was to open the hot water tank plug on the last day of every camping trip to let any water that was in there to escape by virtue of the motions when driving on the way home.

    When I would winterize, I would close the by-pass valves, pump in the RVAF and screw the plug back in only a thread or two just to only hold it in place to inhibit insect from trying to get in.
  • I don’t worry about getting all of the water out either. The opening isn’t at the complete bottom of the tank. I also disconnect two of the connections and tape them to ensure someone can’t start the water heater without water accidentally.
  • Ok thanks, I always did the same putting rv antifreeze in water tank and lines and bypassing hot water, per Lances instructions....no freeze up yet. So i wont create a problem where there is none....

    Freezeups I have had, are the spray faucets on sink, shower and outside, forgetting to unscrew them and drain them out....one cracked on me so I disconnect them now.
  • Remember to "burp" the city water inlet as part of winterization too.
  • Don’t forget the toilet valve. I missed that one year. It was a bit of a problem to get into there to replace it although the part wasn’t that much.