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Hot Water Tank - Maddog - 01-09-2025
Have a 46 gallon tank tucked away under the stairwell that is not easy to get to. 10 years old. The tank. Not me. Anyway have not flushed regularly and thought it was time as it's not working very well at all.
Can only get a trickle out of the hose attached to the drain.
Going to put a new tank in but have to get this one out and it is obviously too heavy with water in it. Trying not to make a mess. Only room for one person. About 8 feet is what I need to move it to get it out of the closet.
Have seen where folks have used a washing machine hose because they have two female ends. Then I'll attach enough hose to get outside and blow some compressed air to try to open things up. Other ideas? You think this could work?
We still have some hot water so going to have the new heater ready to go before I try this.
Regular flushing next time.
Appreciate any ideas. Thanks!
RE: Hot Water Tank - Philip1231 - 01-09-2025
Maybe you are pulling a vacuum? Have you opened any valves/faucets to allow air to get into tank?
RE: Hot Water Tank - Maddog - 01-09-2025
I’ve opened every faucet in the house. Opened the pressure relief valve. Disconnected the outlet line.
To no avail
RE: Hot Water Tank - blackhat - 01-09-2025
Blowing air back through the drain may clear the drain depending on the blockage. Chip scale will clear. Solid calcification won’t. It’s worth a try.
RE: Hot Water Tank - Maddog - 01-09-2025
Looking again at tank I see there’s an”optional T and P port” on the top of the tank. Maybe I could siphon through there?
Or I wonder if there are internal baffles or such in the way?
Guess I could try it but trying not to shut things down again at the moment
Thanks again!
RE: Hot Water Tank - Maddog - 01-09-2025
Or better yet the right pump with hose connections
RE: Hot Water Tank - McApple - 01-09-2025
I've had luck shoving a stiff wire back through the drain valve into the tank. Some of the accumulated scale came free, and increased the flow rate. Definitely open the pressure release valve, or take other measures to allow air into the tank.
It took about 4 hours for our 72 US gallon tank to empty.
RE: Hot Water Tank - dry heat - 01-09-2025
If you have an air compressor There is a gizmo advertised that lets you hook up water hose and AC hose with a valve that lets you blow air back through the drain hole. Might loosen stuff enough to drain.
Ed
RE: Hot Water Tank - Maddog - 01-10-2025
Thanks! I’ll look for that.
RE: Hot Water Tank - Maddog - 01-10-2025
So not exactly related to the clogged drain but more of a thermostat setting question .
I realized yesterday after considering the possibility of a bad lower thermostat because I never saw power at the lower element when checking that I had the upper element setting maybe as much as 10 degrees higher than the lower. I never knew until I did more research online that the lower element only comes on after the upper reaches its setting. I lowered the upper and we had the best showers we’ve had in a long time!
I felt like such a dumb butt! My wife though was very gracious and just grateful to have adequate hot water.
The drain is still plugged and I’m still going to get a new heater because it is 10 years old but I know more than I did.
Still have to get the water out and have ordered that fitting adapter for my air hose plus a suction pump if needed
74 years old and still learning!