Hot Water Tank

[Maddog]

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!

[Philip1231]

Maybe you are pulling a vacuum? Have you opened any valves/faucets to allow air to get into tank?

[Maddog]

I’ve opened every faucet in the house. Opened the pressure relief valve. Disconnected the outlet line.
To no avail

[blackhat]

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.

[Maddog]

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!

[Maddog]

Or better yet the right pump with hose connections

[McApple]

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.

[dry heat]

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

[Maddog]

Thanks! I’ll look for that.