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#1
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Water Heater Drainage
Hi All,
My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James |
#2
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Water Heater Drainage
On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:37:42 -0600, James wrote:
Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James 4 letter word - HOSE |
#3
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Water Heater Drainage
On 2/5/2014 8:41 PM, wrote:
On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:37:42 -0600, James wrote: Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan [to attach a hose]. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James 4 letter word - HOSE Four letter word - READ Scroll up, and read the part in [brackets]. -- .. Christopher A. Young Learn about Jesus www.lds.org .. |
#4
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Water Heater Drainage
On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:37:42 -0600, James wrote:
Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James Sure. My advice is to not drain the water heater (WH). It can or may lead to further problems. Pick your poison, but this is my experience. The hose bib is plastic, right? |
#5
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Water Heater Drainage
On 02/05/2014 07:37 PM, James wrote:
Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James If your water heater "lets loose" and dumps 40 gallons of water, the drain pan is not going to do you much good. I'd just cut a channel in it to get at the spigot. I have no idea why they'd put a drain pan in an area to block it. OTOH: Why do you want to drain it? |
#6
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Water Heater Drainage
On Wednesday, February 5, 2014 8:48:29 PM UTC-5, philo* wrote:
On 02/05/2014 07:37 PM, James wrote: Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James If your water heater "lets loose" and dumps 40 gallons of water, the drain pan is not going to do you much good. I'd just cut a channel in it to get at the spigot. I have no idea why they'd put a drain pan in an area to block it. OTOH: Why do you want to drain it? Most water heaters develop a small leak at first. That's what the drain pan is for. |
#7
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thursday, February 6, 2014 10:12:19 AM UTC-5, jamesgang wrote:
On Wednesday, February 5, 2014 8:48:29 PM UTC-5, philo* wrote: On 02/05/2014 07:37 PM, James wrote: Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose.. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James If your water heater "lets loose" and dumps 40 gallons of water, the drain pan is not going to do you much good. I'd just cut a channel in it to get at the spigot. I have no idea why they'd put a drain pan in an area to block it. OTOH: Why do you want to drain it? Most water heaters develop a small leak at first. That's what the drain pan is for. Or a bigger leak if you route the drain on the pan to someplace where the water can go without creating damage. |
#8
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Water Heater Drainage
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#9
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 18:13:34 -0600, James wrote:
It's in an inside closet along with my washer and dryer no floor drain or anything How big is this closet? Are you saying the washer, dryer and water heater sit in the same pan?! Post a photo on a free hosting site with a link posted here in a reply. I'm interested. Oh, you could have stayed in your original thread. People are / were reading it. |
#10
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 18:13:34 -0600, James wrote:
Most water heaters develop a small leak at first. That's what the drain pan is for. Or a bigger leak if you route the drain on the pan to someplace where the water can go without creating damage. It's in an inside closet along with my washer and dryer no floor drain or anything So ruin a garden hose to an outside room and run it out the window. If the end is below the bottom of the water heater, it will siphon out almost the last little bit of water, which might be bad if there is a lot of sediment. So don't go so low . If the end of the hose is 2 inches above the bottom of the WH, it will stop siphoning when the water in the WH is 2 inches above the bottom. If you don't want the water to pour down to the ground outside, get a second hose and put a funnel in the mouth of it and let the first hose drain into the funnel. That will break the vacuum stop the siphoning at the level of the exit of the first hose, wherever that is. Hold everything to your window with some strings. Kite string is fine. |
#11
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 09:15:44 -0800 (PST), "
wrote: =20 Most water heaters develop a small leak at first. That's what the drain = pan is for. That works fine if you're home to see t he small leak, and not away for 2 weeks. It works okay if not home when the big leak starts your WH is in the basement, near the sump pump, and not in an apartment with cement floors under the carpet and padding, so that the 40 gallons doesn't spread to the rest of your apartment. It works mildly well if you're not home and the WH leaks into the apartment downstairs, ruining the ceilings and who knows what else. Most people take 2 week vacations once a year so that's about one in 26 people who won't be home when the the small leak starts. Or a bigger leak if you route the drain on the pan to someplace where the water can go without creating damage. Right. |
#12
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Water Heater Drainage
On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:37:42 -0600, James wrote:
Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James Connect a drain pipe. Is it a round drain pan, intended for water heaters? There should be no need to elevate anything. If it's not round, it might just be a pan. Every drain pan I've seen has a place close to the floor to attach a 2" drain pipe, plastic or something. Have you looked around the whole circumference? You're right. Without a drain pipe, it will just drain four inches from where it would have without a pan. Although I think I have seen such an installation. |
#13
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Water Heater Drainage
On Wed, 05 Feb 2014 20:53:10 -0500, micky
wrote: On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:37:42 -0600, James wrote: Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it I missed this. Why do you want to drain it? I can't imagine a good reason. My advice about connecting a pipe (or hose) was for when it starts leaking. . without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James Connect a drain pipe. Is it a round drain pan, intended for water heaters? There should be no need to elevate anything. If it's not round, it might just be a pan. Every drain pan I've seen has a place close to the floor to attach a 2" drain pipe, plastic or something. Have you looked around the whole circumference? You're right. Without a drain pipe, it will just drain four inches from where it would have without a pan. Although I think I have seen such an installation. |
#14
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Water Heater Drainage
On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:53:10 -0600, micky wrote
(in article ): On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:37:42 -0600, James wrote: Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James Connect a drain pipe. Is it a round drain pan, intended for water heaters? There should be no need to elevate anything. If it's not round, it might just be a pan. Every drain pan I've seen has a place close to the floor to attach a 2" drain pipe, plastic or something. Have you looked around the whole circumference? You're right. Without a drain pipe, it will just drain four inches from where it would have without a pan. Although I think I have seen such an installation. Yeah there is a plastic drain pipe on the side of the pan. Missed seeing it due to its position. |
#15
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 19:03:14 -0600, James wrote:
On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:53:10 -0600, micky wrote (in article ): On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:37:42 -0600, James wrote: Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James Connect a drain pipe. Is it a round drain pan, intended for water heaters? There should be no need to elevate anything. If it's not round, it might just be a pan. Every drain pan I've seen has a place close to the floor to attach a 2" drain pipe, plastic or something. Have you looked around the whole circumference? You're right. Without a drain pipe, it will just drain four inches from where it would have without a pan. Although I think I have seen such an installation. Yeah there is a plastic drain pipe on the side of the pan. Missed seeing it due to its position. Where does it go? If it goes nowhere, you can still put a garden hose in it and tape it up with duck tape for draining, and run it to the window. Don't open up the drain spigot so much that the hose can't handle it, the water rises to the top of the lip. Or you can put the garden hose right on the threaded spigot. Why do you want to drain the WH. Everyone here says not to do so, because the spigot will get clogged. I've never done it, in 31 years here. |
#16
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Water Heater Drainage
On Friday, February 7, 2014 10:19:38 AM UTC-5, micky wrote:
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 19:03:14 -0600, James wrote: On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:53:10 -0600, micky wrote (in article ): On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:37:42 -0600, James wrote: Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James Connect a drain pipe. Is it a round drain pan, intended for water heaters? There should be no need to elevate anything. If it's not round, it might just be a pan. Every drain pan I've seen has a place close to the floor to attach a 2" drain pipe, plastic or something. Have you looked around the whole circumference? You're right. Without a drain pipe, it will just drain four inches from where it would have without a pan. Although I think I have seen such an installation. Yeah there is a plastic drain pipe on the side of the pan. Missed seeing it due to its position. Where does it go? From what he's described, it doesn't go anywhere. He's apparently talking about just the fact that the drain pan has the connection on it to connect it to some drain if you choose to connect it. If it goes nowhere, you can still put a garden hose in it and tape it up with duck tape for draining, and run it to the window. Duck tape? In a closet in a living space that also has the washer and dryer it it? Sounds like a prscription for disaster. If he wants to do that, he can surely make up the proper pipe connections to attache a garden hose to the pan. And if he has a lower point to route it to, it will work. Thes siphoning part I'm not too keen on as you'd have to somehow pefectly manage the flow rate out of the heater to equal the siphoning rate. If it draws air, he has to start all over. Plus, I believe he indicated that the reason he wanted to drain it was to flush it. In which case, the pan thing is useless, because you want full force water coming out to wash the sediment out. Don't open up the drain spigot so much that the hose can't handle it, the water rises to the top of the lip. See above. Or you can put the garden hose right on the threaded spigot. Did you even read the original question? Look at the pic? Why do you want to drain the WH. Everyone here says not to do so, because the spigot will get clogged. I've never done it, in 31 years here. I believe he indicated it was so he could periodically flush it. |
#17
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Water Heater Drainage
On Fri, 7 Feb 2014 09:19:38 -0600, micky wrote
(in article ): On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 19:03:14 -0600, James wrote: On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:53:10 -0600, micky wrote (in article ): On Wed, 5 Feb 2014 19:37:42 -0600, James wrote: Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James Connect a drain pipe. Is it a round drain pan, intended for water heaters? There should be no need to elevate anything. If it's not round, it might just be a pan. Every drain pan I've seen has a place close to the floor to attach a 2" drain pipe, plastic or something. Have you looked around the whole circumference? You're right. Without a drain pipe, it will just drain four inches from where it would have without a pan. Although I think I have seen such an installation. Yeah there is a plastic drain pipe on the side of the pan. Missed seeing it due to its position. Where does it go? If it goes nowhere, you can still put a garden hose in it and tape it up with duck tape for draining, and run it to the window. Don't open up the drain spigot so much that the hose can't handle it, the water rises to the top of the lip. Or you can put the garden hose right on the threaded spigot. Why do you want to drain the WH. Everyone here says not to do so, because the spigot will get clogged. I've never done it, in 31 years here. Very good advice. I hadn't thought of that. Sometimes the easiest things to do aren't entirely obvious to me. As I've explained, I thought periodic draining of a w/h was important. This is the first time anyone has ever said otherwise and there are good reasons not to, apparently. Hope we can put this thread to rest now |
#18
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Water Heater Drainage
On Fri, 7 Feb 2014 16:20:33 -0600, James wrote:
As I've explained, I thought periodic draining of a w/h was important. This is the first time anyone has ever said otherwise and there are good reasons not to, apparently. Hope we can put this thread to rest now Couple of weeks ago I ran across a Youtube video made by a plumber. He demonstrated the procedure to drain the WH. He addressed sediment concerns, etc. He implied, based of water hardness, to drain the WH twice a month - all the way up to several times a year. Until the water runs clear. With no more sediment coming out of the hose. No way would I bother to drain the WH. I have hard water (some of the hardest in the country). I do have a water softener for the hard water, but still, I never drain them based on the one time I did and the leaks started. |
#19
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Water Heater Drainage
On Fri, 7 Feb 2014 16:20:33 -0600, James wrote:
Why do you want to drain the WH. Everyone here says not to do so, because the spigot will get clogged. I've never done it, in 31 years here. Very good advice. I hadn't thought of that. Sometimes the easiest things to do aren't entirely obvious to me. As I've explained, I thought periodic draining of a w/h was important. A lot of people have said that on this very ng, and it must have been true a few years ago, and maybe for the previous 80. I'm not sure what changed, water heaters, water, or people. . This is the first time anyone has ever said otherwise and there are good reasons not to, apparently. Hope we can put this thread to rest now |
#20
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Water Heater Drainage
On Fri, 7 Feb 2014 16:20:33 -0600, James wrote:
Why do you want to drain the WH. Everyone here says not to do so, because the spigot will get clogged. I've never done it, in 31 years here. And maybe if my father had lived longer, he would have taught me to drain the WH. But he didn't and he didn't. The first 10 years here I had no internet, and it never occured to me to drain ir. Year 13 or so, the wh leaked and the directions for the new one didn't mention draining, afaicr. Very good advice. I hadn't thought of that. Sometimes the easiest things to do aren't entirely obvious to me. As I've explained, I thought periodic draining of a w/h was important. This is the first time anyone has ever said otherwise and there are good reasons not to, apparently. Hope we can put this thread to rest now |
#21
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Water Heater Drainage
On 02/05/2014 08:37 PM, James wrote:
Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James Attach a hose and portable pump and dump the water in the nearest drain. |
#22
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Water Heater Drainage
On 2/5/2014 8:37 PM, James wrote:
Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James Cut a hole in the side of the pan, and patch the hole later? -- .. Christopher A. Young Learn about Jesus www.lds.org .. |
#23
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thursday, February 6, 2014 7:38:28 AM UTC-5, Stormin Mormon wrote:
On 2/5/2014 8:37 PM, James wrote: Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James Cut a hole in the side of the pan, and patch the hole later? If the drain connection is so close to the lip of the pan that nothing else will work, that's the best option I see, if it has to be drained. If there is enough room to get a 90 deg hose fitting on there, those are available in the garden section. If the need is just for routine maintenance, if it came to cutting the pan, I think I just wouldn't drain it. Another factor is, how old is it? If it's a 10 year old gas heater and it hasn't been drained, it's nearing typical end of life point anyway. |
#24
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Water Heater Drainage
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#25
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 18:26:31 -0600, James wrote:
If the need is just for routine maintenance, if it came to cutting the pan, I think I just wouldn't drain it. Another factor is, how old is it? If it's a 10 year old gas heater and it hasn't been drained, it's nearing typical end of life point anyway. There is actually a hole in the pan with a pvc fitting in it but it's turned at an angle to the heater spout and the spout points downward so it doesn't look like there's enough room for an angle fitting. There's not supposed to be a connection between the "spout" and the hole. Water falls out of the spout, starrts to fill the pan, and then runs out of the pan. There's supposed to be a connection between the hole and a drain or a sump. . |
#26
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Water Heater Drainage
On Fri, 7 Feb 2014 09:22:03 -0600, micky wrote
(in article ): On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 18:26:31 -0600, James wrote: If the need is just for routine maintenance, if it came to cutting the pan, I think I just wouldn't drain it. Another factor is, how old is it? If it's a 10 year old gas heater and it hasn't been drained, it's nearing typical end of life point anyway. There is actually a hole in the pan with a pvc fitting in it but it's turned at an angle to the heater spout and the spout points downward so it doesn't look like there's enough room for an angle fitting. There's not supposed to be a connection between the "spout" and the hole. Water falls out of the spout, starrts to fill the pan, and then runs out of the pan. There's supposed to be a connection between the hole and a drain or a sump. . No place to drain it from the pan hole. Only drain in there is for the clothes washer Would have to connect a hose to outside afaict. |
#27
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Water Heater Drainage
James wrote:
Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James Hi, Do you have normal IQ?, LOL! |
#28
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Water Heater Drainage
"Tony Hwang" wrote in message ... James wrote: Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. I've always had a water develop a leak right at the drain after trying to drain it - IMHO, there's no need to drain them unless you have really bad water issues. My water heater is inside the house in a "utility closet". They don't always fail catastrophically - when my water heater failed, we noticed not as hot water as normal for an evening shower (exceptionally cold out - figured that had something to do with it), and almost no hot water the next morning. When I went to look at the water heater in the morning, the pan was just starting to overflow - si it was a slow drip. I turned off the water, used my shop vac to suck out the water in the pan, and hooked a garden hose up to the water heater and drained it to the outside. The original pan had a drain to the outside, but the guy that installed it originally had a backflow preventer in the drain line - installed the wrong way - so the pan simply overflowed ! I had the guy that replaced the water heater reorient the drip pan under the heater and put a drain fitting in the side of the pan (without a backflow preventer) that tied into the condensate line for the AC - that line drains to the outside, too. |
#29
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thursday, February 6, 2014 10:33:16 AM UTC-5, Tony Hwang wrote:
James wrote: Hi All, My water heater is sitting in a drain pan. I don't see how I can drain it without elevating it above the lip of the drain pan to attach a hose. It was that way when I bought the house. Any advice on what to do appreciated. James Hi, Do you have normal IQ?, LOL! I believe what he is saying is that the pan edge is so close to the drain connection that he can't get a hose on it. That's why I suggested a 90deg elbow that's available in the garden supplies might be an option. |
#30
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 10:33:42 -0800 (PST), "
wrote: I believe what he is saying is that the pan edge is so close to the drain connection that he can't get a hose on it. That's why I suggested a 90deg elbow that's available in the garden supplies might be an option. I read it that way. However, most (all?) tank hose bibs are ~ 10-12 inches up the side and not where a drain pan would interfere with the ability to drain the tank with a hose connection. |
#31
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Water Heater Drainage
Oren wrote:
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 10:33:42 -0800 (PST), " wrote: I believe what he is saying is that the pan edge is so close to the drain connection that he can't get a hose on it. That's why I suggested a 90deg elbow that's available in the garden supplies might be an option. I read it that way. However, most (all?) tank hose bibs are ~ 10-12 inches up the side and not where a drain pan would interfere with the ability to drain the tank with a hose connection. I just did an image search. Not all hose bibs are that high up. I have no idea how old this unit is, but there were other images of low hose bibs. Just sayin'... http://www.earlgrayandsons.com/image...ter-heater.jpg |
#32
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Water Heater Drainage
On Fri, 7 Feb 2014 00:14:28 +0000 (UTC), DerbyDad03
wrote: Oren wrote: On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 10:33:42 -0800 (PST), " wrote: I believe what he is saying is that the pan edge is so close to the drain connection that he can't get a hose on it. That's why I suggested a 90deg elbow that's available in the garden supplies might be an option. I read it that way. However, most (all?) tank hose bibs are ~ 10-12 inches up the side and not where a drain pan would interfere with the ability to drain the tank with a hose connection. I just did an image search. Not all hose bibs are that high up. I have no idea how old this unit is, but there were other images of low hose bibs. Just sayin'... http://www.earlgrayandsons.com/image...ter-heater.jpg Then the question becomes: how deep it the drain pan? OP has started another thread. Just sayin' |
#33
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 16:33:23 -0600, Oren wrote
(in article ): On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 10:33:42 -0800 (PST), " wrote: I believe what he is saying is that the pan edge is so close to the drain connection that he can't get a hose on it. That's why I suggested a 90deg elbow that's available in the garden supplies might be an option. I read it that way. However, most (all?) tank hose bibs are ~ 10-12 inches up the side and not where a drain pan would interfere with the ability to drain the tank with a hose connection. The hose bib is only about 2-1/2" from the bottom of the tank |
#34
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 18:55:43 -0600, James wrote:
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 16:33:23 -0600, Oren wrote (in article ): On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 10:33:42 -0800 (PST), " wrote: I believe what he is saying is that the pan edge is so close to the drain connection that he can't get a hose on it. That's why I suggested a 90deg elbow that's available in the garden supplies might be an option. I read it that way. However, most (all?) tank hose bibs are ~ 10-12 inches up the side and not where a drain pan would interfere with the ability to drain the tank with a hose connection. The hose bib is only about 2-1/2" from the bottom of the tank How deep is the pan? I offer you an apology. A troll, Jimmy, started anther thread on the same subject. Trying to imitate you. He is a canuck from Canada. Posing as you and I now see your are not the one. Sorry. -- '...we don't wanna bring our guns, but ready if it goes there -- Madison Rising |
#36
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 18:51:37 -0600, James wrote:
In reality it will have to be drained at some point, so I do not understand the snide remark or the questions about why I want to drain it. I'm here to learn things. James, Saying not to drain the tank is not a snide remark. My experiences have been to just leave them alone. Draining some tanks can and do cause further leaks. If the tank needs to be drained for a specific reason, like replacing it, that is a reasonable reason to drain it. The one(s) I drained (suggested maintenance) leaked soon after - likely due to the plastic hose bib I thought was tightened correctly afterwards. Do not be offended by the suggestion to not drain it. In the future, at install (new unit) , before connection or filling with water - remove the plastic parts and install a brass quarter turn ball valve. |
#37
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Water Heater Drainage
On 02/06/2014 08:30 PM, Oren wrote:
snip .. Do not be offended by the suggestion to not drain it. In the future, at install (new unit) , before connection or filling with water - remove the plastic parts and install a brass quarter turn ball valve. More reading here http://www.wral.com/why-draining-you...take/12282424/ |
#38
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 20:30:08 -0600, Oren wrote
(in article ): On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 18:51:37 -0600, James wrote: In reality it will have to be drained at some point, so I do not understand the snide remark or the questions about why I want to drain it. I'm here to learn things. James, Saying not to drain the tank is not a snide remark. My experiences have been to just leave them alone. Draining some tanks can and do cause further leaks. If the tank needs to be drained for a specific reason, like replacing it, that is a reasonable reason to drain it. The one(s) I drained (suggested maintenance) leaked soon after - likely due to the plastic hose bib I thought was tightened correctly afterwards. Do not be offended by the suggestion to not drain it. In the future, at install (new unit) , before connection or filling with water - remove the plastic parts and install a brass quarter turn ball valve. I wasn't referring to you about the snide remark. It was the poster who said something about my IQ. Sorry I should have clarified that. If draining is not necessary unless the unit fails then I won't bother with it. The hot water supply has been a little wonky lately though, kinda small sporadic interruptions in the flow but nothing serious. Thanks for the advice about a ball valve. I will certainly use it when the time comes. |
#39
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Water Heater Drainage
On Thu, 6 Feb 2014 18:51:37 -0600, James wrote:
That may not be possible in this particular situation but the pans are cheap so if I have to kill it I won't be ****ed. Never lived in a house that had a drain pan under the water heater so I was kinda surprised. People, and vendors, are always trying to improve our standard of living. Even if men don't care, women don't like it when every 20 years there is 40 or 50 gallons of water on the floor. I thought draining the water heater periodically was proper maintenance to remove sediment in the bottom What do you care if there is sediment on the bottom? It only matters if the sediment is so deep it starts to surround the lower electric heating element. Do you even have an electric WH? Or gas? Assume it's electric. I have that too. When I, probably mistaking thermostat or element problems for something more serious, junked my 8yo WH. I cut it open and there was less than 2 tablespoons of sediment. At that rate it would have taken over 80 years for the sediment to reach the heating element. Water varies by location. You need to talk to your neighbors and find out if they ever drain the WH, how often and how much sediment comes out. Some of them don't drain it, that's for sure. How long do their WH's last. In the 10 years I've been reading, no one in this group has ever reported good results from draining the WH, curing an existing problem without creating a bigger problem. What they say often happens is sediment gets in the drain valve, the pressure and flow are not enough to flush the sediment out, and the valve won't shut tight anymore and is always dripping hot water and the WH has to be replaced. and it will need to replaced eventually anyway. In reality it will have to be drained at some point Why? When it leaks it will drain itself. Why do you need to drain it before then? , so I do not understand the snide remark or the questions about why I want to drain it. I'm here to learn things. Thank you for trying to be helpful |
#40
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Water Heater Drainage
I thought draining the water heater periodically was proper maintenance to remove sediment in the bottom What do you care if there is sediment on the bottom? It only matters if the sediment is so deep it starts to surround the lower electric heating element. Do you even have an electric WH? Or gas? Assume it's electric. I have that too. When I, probably mistaking thermostat or element problems for something more serious, junked my 8yo WH. I cut it open and there was less than 2 tablespoons of sediment. At that rate it would have taken over 80 years for the sediment to reach the heating element. Water varies by location. You need to talk to your neighbors and find out if they ever drain the WH, how often and how much sediment comes out. Some of them don't drain it, that's for sure. How long do their WH's last. In the 10 years I've been reading, no one in this group has ever reported good results from draining the WH, curing an existing problem without creating a bigger problem. What they say often happens is sediment gets in the drain valve, the pressure and flow are not enough to flush the sediment out, and the valve won't shut tight anymore and is always dripping hot water and the WH has to be replaced. I flush my gas water heater once a year. I don't drain it, but leave supply on full and open the drain valve full to a hose going out a door to an exterior sidewalk. I see ~1/2 cup of white mineral chips spread out on the sidewalk when I'm done. In a gas heater I assume that the chips would have remained on the bottom of the tank and slowed heat transfer to the water mass. When I have a faucet aerator with reduced flow, I pull it off and find those same white chips clogging the screen. My municipal system gets the tail end of the Colorado river before we send it into Mexico, so the dissolved solids can be very high at the end of the summer. and it will need to replaced eventually anyway. In reality it will have to be drained at some point Why? When it leaks it will drain itself. Why do you need to drain it before then? , so I do not understand the snide remark or the questions about why I want to drain it. I'm here to learn things. Thank you for trying to be helpful |
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