Drain water heater between uses?

[old pirate]

Any pros and cons, on draining water heater between use? Like if only using it for a few days every 1or 2 months?
Or if not using for 6 months?
Also, draining the water tank?

[WinnieView]

We only drain ours maybe once a year to help clean out any sediment. We do not winterize.

[alank]

If I knew mine was going to set for 6+ months, I’d drain everything and start over with fresh water.

[BFlinn181]

Is your RV in an area where it is subject to freezing temperatures? If so, I'd drain it and winterize the whole system. Leaving fresh water in the system for months at a time just means the water won't be too fresh when you return to use it. A quick sanitation of the system using bleach would be in order.

I've not seen any studies as to the effects of leaving the tank full compared to empty for a few months.

[Soppy]

I drain the hot water tank at the end of the season , as part of winterizing . The fresh water tank gets drained at the end of each trip on the drive home.

[egwilly]

Probably overkill, I drain the heater and tank if it is going to sit a month or more. Our water here in Southern California is very hard.
Every time I pull the anode, lots of stuff comes out. A lot of build up on the heater rod as well.
I figure it can't hurt, and I am retired.

[scbwr]

I've always just drained it when it was time to winterize the system. I had our Sunline trailer for 10 years and never had a hot water heater problem. Did the same with the Winnebago Minnie for 5 years and I just winterized the Bay Star a few days ago.

[wildtoad]

Depends on the manufacturer somewhat. Suburban suggests anytime it is not in use to drain it. Improves the life of the anode rod, helps to maintain the air bubble at the top of the tank reducing the potential for dripping through the relief valve.

[keymastr]

I drain mine if it is going to sit more than a couple weeks. It keeps the anode rod from deteriorating but also keeps the water in the heater from going foul. It will smell like rotten eggs if it goes sour.

It is especially important if your water, (or the water you last filled with), came from a well rather than a municipal source that treats and chlorinates the water.

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by wildtoad

Depends on the manufacturer somewhat. Suburban suggests anytime it is not in use to drain it. Improves the life of the anode rod, helps to maintain the air bubble at the top of the tank reducing the potential for dripping through the relief valve.

Maintaining the air pocket at the top of the tank to allow for expansion is simple. Just open the lever on the pressure relief valve with the pump and/or city water off. Water will dribble out of the tank down to the level of the relief valve, air will replace the water. Allow the lever to snap closed, displacing any mineral deposits on the valve seat. Your expansion air pocket is now restored.

[FatChance]

If you used your home for a couple days every 1-2 months, would you drain the water heater?

[Mudfrog]

The only time I drain is when temperatures are forecast to be in the 20's or below. This works out about right because it tends to happen every year or two. I never drain it just because of time sitting unused. Even with the long interval (so far in the 15+ years we've had the motorhome) there's always very little, if any, sediment or scale build up. Have never had any smell.

I guess we're just lucky that the campgrounds we frequent have good water.


Edited to add: We''ve never used any kind of water filter.

[nothermark]

Fill in the spring, drain in the fall. All part of the winterizing cycle. That seems sufficient.

[MSHappyCampers]

Once a year is plenty!