Water Heater Question

[Howie3]

Haven't posted for a while, which is probably a good thing since it means the RV has been working and I haven't needed all the good advice offered here!
On our final few days of camping, the red 'warning' light came on the hot water switch and the heater stopped working. Then I noticed some leaking water from the outside panel so I switched the plumbing to bypass for the rest of the trip. When I got home I discovered a pin prick hole in the plastic plug on the tank drain. I replaced the plug and reconnected the bypass to the heater and turned the heater on to see if it would work. It did, though instead of taking 20-25 min to fully heat, it took about double the time but eventually stopped. No leaks anywhere so turned it off. A week later when I went to drain the tank for winterizing, when I removed the plug, the water pressure was so great that I immediately was soaked from the chest down. In the dozen or so years of draining the heater tank I have never experienced that kind of pressure when removing the plug. Is it normal for this, being that the heater had been off for a week and the water was cold? It is an Atwood gas heater model g6a-8e. Thanks in advance.

[Howie3]

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful replies and reassurances.

Normally I would only start the water heater with the intention of using it which would of course release the pressure, but since I was testing it I must have left the tap closed this time. Won't forget next time (I hope).

Howie

[fla-gypsy]

Completely normal on all counts

[schlep1967]

The good news is....You don't have any other leaks on the hot water side. Or the pressure would have dropped without opening a valve.

[opnspaces]

Yes I've had that shower as well in the past. Now I'm always sure to open a hot water tap to relieve pressure before touching the plug.

[BarneyS]

Yes that is normal if you do not open a hot water valve or trip the pressure release valve on the water heater first. I have received the shot in the belly once from forgetting the above. Notice I said once!:E
You should be good to go now.:)
Barney