So what was the solution - open up the pressure release valve. I didn't
even have to open a hot water tap, I simply opened it up, opened up the
drain valve, and voila!

Nice clear water came out - just as I hoped.


"Bob M." wrote in message
...

"Eigenvector" wrote in message
...

Well the manual asks me to operate the pressure release valve 2 times
year, so I might as well bite the bullet and go for it. Seems odd that
I'd have to do all this arm waving to drain the stupid tank, it's not
like I have some weird setup or something.

It's very good advice. A 5 gallon water heater that explodes will tear a
huge hole in a cinder block wall, big enough to walk through. Imagine
what would happen with a 40 or 50 gallon heater. Many here say the T&P
valve may leak, as if that's a reason to not test it. So what! If it
leaks, tap it with a hammer and the leak will probably stop. If not,
they're not that hard or expensive to replace.



But before I do that I have to find a fitting to attach to the pressure
release valve so I can redirect the water away from the burner. The
pressure release valve fitting give me no room to attach pipe elbows.


It should go straight down to about 6" off the floor. No elbows or
anything unless the thing is on the top of the tank, which is unlikely.