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Phisherman Phisherman is offline
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Default Does rust solidify in a hot water tank?

On Sun, 3 Jun 2007 09:05:09 -0700, "Eigenvector"
wrote:

So I go to drain my hot water tank at its one year anniversary and nothing
comes out of the drain valve - well a little drip here and there maybe. I
did all the right things I believe, turned off the cold water, opened up a
hot water tap, hooked a garden hose to the drain valve (cheap plastic valve
that I wouldn't trust for anything).

So I assume its clogged with rust, I have galvanized pipes for my cold water
supply and I know they are at or near the point of failure and all the rust
that comes with that (I have the blue PEX chilling in the office until I
have a chance to start removing the galvanized). So I'm wondering does rust
form a solid mass eventually or can it be loosened up enough to let the
drain do its thing?


Rust is iron oxide and it's a solid. It's a good idea to flush the
tank entirely once a year. Most folks just empty a couple gallons.
The anode sacrificial pole should help preserve he tank.