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Post by ccove on Feb 24, 2013 6:14:54 GMT -7
I have read numerous times in various places about using the water stored in a hot water heater in a shtf situation. Well yesterday I got some experince I would like to pass along.
I decied to drain my hot water heater yesterday to remove any sediment. Well it was the first time that it has been drained in nine years. Recently I had reaad an article about it and figured it needed to be done. Well when I opened the valve the amount of sludge and sediment that came out was incredible.
In order to drink the water it would need to be filtered. Eventually the water came out clear but only after half the tank was empty. Now I am going to drain the tank when I change the filters in my HVAC system.
So remember if you are going to tap into yours or some one elses water heater be prepared.
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Post by cowgirlup on Feb 24, 2013 7:08:53 GMT -7
Good point. I have been putting it off because there is no drain in the basement floor. So, I'll have to hook it to a hose and run it outside.
That will be a summer project.
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Post by urbanprep on Feb 24, 2013 7:54:39 GMT -7
I had forgotten about the sludge. In my first home I always drained half the tank once a year to make sure I had all that crap out. Haven't done it in this home because the WH is in the attic. guess I need to get the Pocket hose out as soon as it warms up a bit
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Post by cajunlady87 on Feb 24, 2013 8:36:39 GMT -7
Great post and something for all of us to consider doing. Plus all the sediment resting on the floor of the waterheater more than likely is the reason for corrosion of the bottom causing it to leak or burst.
Urbanprep I feel for you if that waterheater bursts up there. You're talking ceiling damage replacement and other expensive repair bills. I've had one burst in a clothes closet in my movile home and don't wish that on anyone. In my home I had one burst and the water drained outside from whatever crack it found. Still flooded but not as bad.
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Post by urbanprep on Feb 24, 2013 12:08:36 GMT -7
Great post and something for all of us to consider doing. Plus all the sediment resting on the floor of the waterheater more than likely is the reason for corrosion of the bottom causing it to leak or burst. Urbanprep I feel for you if that waterheater bursts up there. You're talking ceiling damage replacement and other expensive repair bills. I've had one burst in a clothes closet in my movile home and don't wish that on anyone. In my home I had one burst and the water drained outside from whatever crack it found. Still flooded but not as bad. I understand completely. When we had the house built the quote for the basement was huge; so we opted out. I could kick myself every time a tornado comes through. The heater is in a drip pan (wheeeee) with an alarm that won't do any good if we aren't home <sigh> I know I should have had a small room put in under the house but didn't think about it. I have looked into options of excavating the craw space in one area, but it is not practical at this time.
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Post by missasip on Feb 24, 2013 17:23:24 GMT -7
Build up is what usually causes heater tanks to go away... sludge and corrosion is what the heater warranty is all about...the longer the warranty gennerally speaking, the longer it will delay leaking.
Jimmy
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Post by mud on Feb 25, 2013 7:03:00 GMT -7
Mine is ceramic lined. Will that not help as advertised?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2013 8:04:05 GMT -7
Draining will take care of some of the build up. Think of it as the same stuff that gets in your Mr Coffee or you can really see it , if you have a stove top tea kettle. It's a practice that we here go thru 2 x a year. Also consider your toilet tanks as a supply, we use no chemicals in ours, just a quick clean with bleach when needed, and if you have a water line drain " common here because of the winter weather and alot of snow birds" there will still be water in the pipes. Might I also suggest, we keep 3 1gal water jugs in the deep freeze and 1 1 qt water jug in the fridge.freezer both as drinking water if needed and as back up ice block for a power out untill we can get power back or the generators up and running.
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Post by fenster on Feb 25, 2013 8:13:07 GMT -7
I had one my heating elements burn out due to sediment buildup, so a big +1 on draining and cleaning out your water heater every couple of years.
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Post by missasip on Feb 25, 2013 9:24:29 GMT -7
Mine is ceramic lined. Will that not help as advertised? I think most are lined now a days. Only issue is if it ever had/got a crack in the lining. And remember the residue is from your water mostly, not the tank itself. I had a whole house water filter on my last home. The town claimed to have the best water in the state....not according to my filter... Jimmy
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Post by hunter63 on Feb 25, 2013 9:27:30 GMT -7
Water heater draining is a very commonly ignored, and lots of stuff builds up.
Also be aware that the same sludge may cause your safety valve to leak after checking for proper operation.....keeping a spare is wise.
As we drain the WH at "The Place" our cabin, regularly, like if there is a chance that it will be cold weather, it does stay pretty clean.
I can't say the same about the WH in the house....LOL, kinda lazed out.
BTW, most all HW's in a product line are identical.....The difference is the number of years they will cover it under warranty........5 year vs 10 year, same machine, more money up front.
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Post by cajunlady87 on Feb 25, 2013 11:05:02 GMT -7
Thanks for all the great informative posts, they have told me a lot.
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