When your mind says "don't do this".

Hugh R · 10:47 AM

Read that its good to drain your water heater once in a while. To get rid of the sediment. So I went out to mine today (relocated outside when I re-piped to copper from galvanized years ago, it used to be in an inside closet with no drain (eff that). I was going to drain it and the plastic handle-fitting broke on the drain. so I'm looking at it and thinking I have never drained this thing. I was going to take a vice-grip to the valve and thought, if the plastic drain valve also fails, I'm in for a whole lot of hurt. I think I'll let it sit until it fails.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

Good plan. It's amazing to me that the manufacturers say to drain it periodically but won't put a functioning drain valve on them. Maybe amazing is the wrong word. "Not surprising" is more like it.

Hugh R · 09-14-2016, 12:26 PM

KFC911 · 09-14-2016, 12:30 PM

If it ain't broke, fix it until it is

pavulon · 09-14-2016, 12:35 PM

That's known as 'pregret'.

Evans, Marv · 09-14-2016, 02:53 PM

I had a Rheem water heater a long time ago. After years, I got to thinking it was pretty old - at 17 years old and started wondering when it was going to need replacing. Of course it started to leak the next week. If I hadn't started to wonder about it, it probably would've lasted another 17 years.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

If you drill it out it'll drain just fine!

Bugsinrugs · 09-14-2016, 03:05 PM

Change the anode in the thing....it will last another 15 years.

john70t · 09-14-2016, 04:23 PM

It's probably possible to:
-Kill the house water supply (make sure the main shut off works 100% before going further!).
-Drain pipes from lowest point.
-Remove plastic crap.
-Replace with brass drain valve.
-There may be an electrolysis spacer and/or reducer sleeve required.
-Do it on a monday week off so the stores are open.
-Fill plenty of buckets before (or have a nice pool handy for the lucky some of us).
-Have other water options available in case the pros are needed.

The anodized rods only last 3-5 yrs I think.
I just drained my heater and got numerous buckets before the water was running clear again.
Rusty water affects laundry..

masraum · 09-14-2016, 04:34 PM

You've probably ignored that voice a time or two and learned that it's a voice that you should heed.

I had something similar once. I think I had replaced a toilet or the wax ring on a toilet and had the head snap off of the valve when I shut it to remove the toilet. I didn't want to have an issue with trying to replace that valve. I had mental images of the pipe that it was screwed to twisting off inside the wall, so I called a plumber. I decided that I would have him do every valve in the house. I was laughing on the inside when he was able to screw every one off without a problem and had all 11 of them replaced in about 20-30 mins. I wasn't angry, because I was pretty sure that the only reason that it went that smoothly was because I had hired a plumber.

Baz · Baz's Garage

I replaced my front door knob-set this morning.....no issues at all. The old one was here when I bought the place 20 years ago so it had a good run.

Just posting this as a counter balance to yours, Hugh.

KFC911 · 09-14-2016, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

I replaced my front door knob-set this morning.....no issues at all. The old one was here when I bought the place 20 years ago so it had a good run.

....

Baz...you crack me up.

Hope you sleep well tonight knowing you have 20 year old nails holding the place together

fastfredracing · 09-14-2016, 06:18 PM

When I did mine, the valve opened right up, but not a drip of water came out. When I would poke a coat hanger up in there , I would get a few drops out. There was so much sediment in there , it was amazing .
I ended up removing the water heater all together, and pulling out the drain, and both heating elements, and hosing it out. rolling it around, and blowing compressed air through it . I got a ton of stuff out of there . I probably should have just replaced it then, but it is still going strong 5 years later ...

Hugh R · 09-15-2016, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baz

I replaced my front door knob-set this morning.....no issues at all. The old one was here when I bought the place 20 years ago so it had a good run.

Just posting this as a counter balance to yours, Hugh.

My Baldwin front door lock. I paid a guy $85 to take it apart and fix it, good for another 20 years. Some things you just don't want to delve into.

icemann427 · 09-15-2016, 10:43 AM

I agree with you, Hugh. Just let it be. Maybe it will last another 5-10 years if you just leave it alone...

Brian 162 · 09-15-2016, 06:22 PM

Those handles break all of the time. Like others said you can just leave it alone. If you really wanted to open the valve just stick a slotted screwdriver in the top of the valve and turn it counter clockwise to open.
I was in HVAC for 35 years and I replaced those valves all the time.
If you fly me down I'll replace it for free with a brass valve.