The tank emptied out of the valve at the bottom while the water pressure was on. I turned off the power, but if I had left the power on, wouldn't it just try to heat all the inrush of cold water and just consume power verses destroying the tank? I started to drain it before I turned the breaker off too....sorry.
2006-11-24 23:21:49 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You should flush it out every six months. Turn off the heating element but don't bother to turn off the water. The inrushing cold water will help rinse out the loose gunk at the bottom. It only needs to run for about 5 minutes to clean it out.
2006-11-24 23:36:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you decide to drain your tank, attach a hose to the faucet at the bottom of the tank and place the other end of the hose in an area you want the water to drain into. Then turn your thermostat all the way down, open the faucet valve and let it drain and flush until cold water has come through the hose for about 3-5 minutes and you see no more sediment being discharged.
Turn off the drain valve and the tank will refill itself. Unless your water is extremely hard, once a year should be sufficient for draining.
Now here's a tip. After you've drain the tank, take a large felt tipped marker and write the date on the tank. This will help you remember when to drain it again. Do so each time you drain it.
2006-11-25 00:10:52 · answer #2 · answered by sailingcat36 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't be silly, I drain and flush my tank about twice a year, mine is a well. I usually get some sand. Before I had my well cleaned I got a lot of sand out now, it seems to be O.K. some think you should also change the anode rod also but this is bunk, that rod should last for ten years. If you have really hard water and it starts smelling then maybe change it or take it out and plug it, the tank.
2006-11-25 00:49:17 · answer #3 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because you did`nt see any "rust" coming out does`nt mean you`ve removed the sediment. After draining I remove the valve and us a hooked wire or coathanger to see if any sediment has accumulated. If so it can be vaccumed out with a shop vac. Duct tape a piece of PVC, smae enough to fit in the tank, to the vac hose. Just suck out the sediment. Sometimes you have to break up the bigger pieces to get them out.
2006-11-25 21:14:44 · answer #4 · answered by william v 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in case you drain your water heater, be specific you tutor the warmth off first. If the tank heats with out water and then water further, can shatter your tank. i'd examine at a ironmongery keep and notice if there's a filter out you could set up on the consumption pipe, filter out you could replace or sparkling on a typical foundation.
2016-12-17 15:57:07 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do it every month... you can get away with once every six months, or even less, but if you do it every month, your unit will last much longer.
2006-11-26 01:02:01 · answer #6 · answered by Mary G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wouldn't waste the time... most of the new one are supposed to be self cleaning, design creates a swirling action that send particles down line to faucets. a whole house filter & softener would do you more good!
2006-11-25 00:34:06 · answer #7 · answered by Bonno 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
every six months is fine but use a hose and run it to your sink
2006-11-25 02:18:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋