I need HELP!!!: hot water tank drain for winterizing

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hot water tank drain for winterizing

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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16031
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2025 at 4:01pm
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Topic: hot water tank drain for winterizing

Posted By: ilthyn
Subject: hot water tank drain for winterizing
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2024 at 9:46am

Had to replace my tank. Turns out, for 12 years, the low point drain does not drain the tank and it must have frozen each year. OOOOPS!

Any suggestions how to drain the tank? I can use air pressure but prefer not to as I have to winterize heading back to Canada from Arizona this winter. Thanks!

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2011 Pod 171 with numerous mods.
2013 DODGE RAM 1500

Replies:

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2024 at 12:35pm

Take out the anode rod and let the tank drain. Be sure to depressurize the tank before you loosen the rod. You can do that with the over pressure relief valve mounted to the upper part of the tank. The anode rod should be removed and inspected at least annually and replaced when the zinc or aluminum is used up. If you let all the sacrificial metal get eaten off, you'll develop pinholes in your water heater tank and will have to replace it. I prefer the aluminum anode rods because the zinc ones leave a rotten egg odor in the water after time.

When you remove the anode rod, you can also clean out accumulated crud in the tank with a spray nozzle. They make little hoses you can buy to get a better spray inside. The white crud will clog your strainers on your faucets and if you're a tank water drinker you'll be consuming it. Yuck.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost