| Draining Hot Water Tank [message #302327] |
Sun, 19 June 2016 14:52  |
jor
Messages: 43
Registered: June 2016
Location: Tucson
Karma: 0
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I intended to drain my hot water tank, flush it out and sanitize the fresh water system today. First job: Find the tank. Got that done. Second job: Drain the tank. I think I'm on the right track but I could use some help. The tank is in the wet bathroom behind the wall. That's photo 1. Directly below the tank in the wheel well behind the rear most tire is what looks like a drain pipe. Photos 2 & 3.
After much persuasion I got the cap off the pipe and a few drops of water came out. I poked a wire up there and ran into something (ball valve?). Also, right next to the drain pipe is a little rubber tube. I looked in the water heater compartment best I could but I didn't see any valve.
How do you drain the hot water tank? Thanks.
jor
Had to link to a photo site. Not sure what I'm doing with the gallery thing. Working on it.
John O'Reilly
76 Eleganza II (quad bags, disc brakes w/ reaction arm. 3.70 gears, manny trans, headers, Patterson dist.)
Tucson, AZ
[Updated on: Sun, 19 June 2016 14:53] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Draining Hot Water Tank [message #302329 is a reply to message #302327] |
Sun, 19 June 2016 15:02  |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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You'll have to chase them, but I'd expect the rubber tube to be hooked to the temp/pressure relief valve on the water heater, and the hard pipe to be either a water heater or system drain. Norris put my drain just inside the frame rail just be3hind the door, which is under my heater, and the relief sort of 'aimed' at a hole in the floor. I slipped a piece of rubber tube over it so's it wouldn't wet the plywood.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Draining Hot Water Tank [message #302336 is a reply to message #302327] |
Sun, 19 June 2016 15:51 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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The big hole in the fender well is the safety valve drain from the hot water heater. The smaller tube is the drain for the tank. Unfortunately the smaller one (the drain) is not directly below that drain valve on the tank so there is a short hose connecting the two.
The drain valve is dead center on the bottom of the tank. Open the valve and open one hot water faucet to let air in. If water does not come out of the drain tube, you can try two things. Close the faucet and turn on the water pump to pressurize the system. If that does not work yo get it draining, then open drain valve and faucet again and briefly apply air pressure to the drain tube in the fender well. It is common for these to get plugged up with mineral scale and have to be opened again.
I replaced my drain valve with a ball valve years ago. It makes it a lot easier to open and close.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Draining Hot Water Tank [message #302358 is a reply to message #302336] |
Sun, 19 June 2016 18:05 |
jor
Messages: 43
Registered: June 2016
Location: Tucson
Karma: 0
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Exactly the info I need. Thanks, guys. Sure doesn't look like there's much room to get my hand in there. I'll have to clear it out and get a better look. Thanks again.
jor
John O'Reilly
76 Eleganza II (quad bags, disc brakes w/ reaction arm. 3.70 gears, manny trans, headers, Patterson dist.)
Tucson, AZ
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| Re: Draining Hot Water Tank [message #302393 is a reply to message #302358] |
Sun, 19 June 2016 23:42 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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You are correct. There is not much room and turning that petcock valve is a pain. That is why I went to a 1/4 turn ball valve.
Emery went to a ball valve mounted vertically and put a new hole the fender well for it to drain through. This way he can open the valve and if it does not drain he can shove a wire up through the valve and into the tank to open it up.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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