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Old 01-07-2021, 08:32 AM   #1
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Draining Water Heater?

I want to drain my water heater and looking for ideas on how to do this without getting soaking wet. I will have to use a crescent wrench being I don't have a socket this big. This means I will have to do small turns at a time. I am also concerned about the water running down the side of my motorhome.

On my last motorhome (Tiffin) the drain plug was much smaller (at least I think it was).
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Old 01-07-2021, 08:38 AM   #2
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I’m not sure how you’ll stay dry but do not forget to turn off the water heater breaker
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Old 01-07-2021, 08:49 AM   #3
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Turn off power to water heater 120VAC & 12VDC
Open nearest faucet HOT side to relieve any pressure....leave it open and let any hot run out while cold flows in
Then turn off water supply

Loosen the drain plug until you can use your fingers
Then fully unscrew and STEP BACK

**water running down side ....same water you drink/wash dishes/bath it etc
If water source is HARD......after draining/drain plug back in rinse with some bottled water
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Old 01-07-2021, 08:49 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by CLIFFTALL View Post
I’m not sure how you’ll stay dry but do not forget to turn off the water heater breaker
Be sure to bleed off water pressure to avoid a geyser. Also helps to turn off heat ahead so its cooler draining.

Flow is slow that way. You can fashion a deflecter to slide under the drain if you want but I never worried about water running down the outside of my MH... it happens every time it rains.
I hooked up a valve and short (14-16") piece of small (1/4-3/8) poly tubing on the end of a garden hose. Allowed me to get a good stream of water in through the drain while letting it drain. I got a lot more calcium & sediment flushed that did not come out w initial drain.
Blow off when done just so water doesn't lay in the bay.
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Old 01-07-2021, 08:56 AM   #5
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I replaced the awkward drain plug with a petcock. now it is just a simple matter of turning the petcock with my fingers and opening the pressure relief valve to provide bleed air.

EZ PZ

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Inch-11...e%2C225&sr=1-3
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Old 01-07-2021, 09:05 AM   #6
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Per my instructions I removed the anode (sp) rod and while being prepared for water nothing came out. I opened the blow off and still nothing came out. Would draining the low point drains drain this also? These have been open for a month or so. I do have my faucets all open and my water is off.

Also what is the white stuff all over the anode rod?
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Old 01-07-2021, 09:15 AM   #7
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That’s how I drain mine... I open the low point drain lines, open the pressure relief valve and turn on the interior faucets. This takes a little longer than removing the water heater plug but it does a very good job of draining the entire fresh water system.
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Old 01-07-2021, 09:20 AM   #8
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Cool Get {Got?} the the right wrench...

You can use a large "X" style lug wrench. I can't remember the exact size for the drain on the water heater but one of the four socket heads on the lug wrench will fit it.

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Old 01-07-2021, 09:23 AM   #9
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That’s how I drain mine... I open the low point drain lines, open the pressure relief valve and turn on the interior faucets. This takes a little longer than removing the water heater plug but it does a very good job of draining the entire fresh water system.
If that is the case then I most likely burnt up my water heater a few weeks ago. At some point the WH was turned on and it was on for several hours with no water in it. Is the anode rod what I need?
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Old 01-07-2021, 09:40 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by reubenray View Post
I want to drain my water heater and looking for ideas on how to do this without getting soaking wet. I will have to use a crescent wrench being I don't have a socket this big. This means I will have to do small turns at a time. I am also concerned about the water running down the side of my motorhome.

On my last motorhome (Tiffin) the drain plug was much smaller (at least I think it was).
A long extension and a 6 pt. 7/8" socket can be had for cheap at Harbor Freight. Handy to have for draining the tank for winterizing or to reestablish an air pocket. Good to drain the tank on occasion to prevent corrosion build up in the tank too.
It's only water coming out of the tank. You'll be just fine. It washes right off with water.
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Old 01-07-2021, 09:51 AM   #11
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A long extension and a 6 pt. 7/8" socket can be had for cheap at Harbor Freight. Handy to have for draining the tank for winterizing or to reestablish an air pocket. Good to drain the tank on occasion to prevent corrosion build up in the tank too.
It's only water coming out of the tank. You'll be just fine. It washes right off with water.
A 7/8" was to small. I ended using an 1 1/8" socket which was a little big. An 1" was to small.

I went ahead and flushed the tank and ordered an anode rod.

Once I get everything put back together I will check to see if I burnt up the water heater when it was on for a few hours with no water in it.
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Old 01-07-2021, 10:08 AM   #12
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A 7/8" was to small. I ended using an 1 1/8" socket which was a little big. A 1" was to small.
The anode rod on mine takes a 1 1/16 inch. Been using the same socket for the last 2 trailers and now my fifth wheel.
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Old 01-07-2021, 10:14 AM   #13
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Suburban uses an Anode Rod to protect the steel glass lined tank
Anode Rod Hex head is 1 1/16"
Stuff on Anode Rod is calcium build up...just wire brush it off
Rape threads then reinstall after draining so critters don't set up house


Atwood NO anode rod cause tank is aluminum
NYLON drain plug is either 15/16" or 7/8" hex head ====depends on VENDOR which one
No tape needed..install after draining


IF Electric was turned on/left on........new element needed cause they burn out within minutes of dry firing


Petcocks/Valves etc
OK for letting water out BUT sediment/scale/calcium are left behind as the petcocks/valves restrict flow due to SMALL opening

Best to use the OEM drain as designed

Some Low Point Drains will drain water heater
Some do not....depends on how the cold plumbing lines are installed as that is what the WH Tank would drain back thru


I like to do a 'Power Flush'
After turning power off, turning water off, opening faucet hot side, removing drain plug
I turn water back on full and let it BLAST out the WH drain hole
Cold inlet dip tube points downward so it really stirs up the stuff on bottom of tank and then gets forced out via the full water pressure
*Stay back until you turn water back off...it shoots out LOL
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Old 01-07-2021, 10:47 AM   #14
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IK -- I ordered the heating element also.

This simple job has turned into one step forward and two steps backward. The clip on the water heater door broke off.

How and where can I get this replacement?
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