[royr]

My house is 8 years old. I bought it 2 years ago. I have a whole house water softener that uses salt pellets, and I have a gas water heater.
I noticed the T&P valve dripping on my water heater, so I replaced it. The original T&P valve seemed to be corroded when I removed it.
I decided to drain the water heater first, but when I opened the drain, nothing came out. I used a thin wire to unclog the drain, then a lot of salt pellet pieces came out. There was at east a gallon of salt pellet pieces in the water heater. I flushed as much out as I could, and refilled the water heater.
Now the water heater does not get the water hot enough. It comes on and seems to be working OK, but the water heat is not very hot. I have it set to a higher temperature than I had it set before, but still too cool. Very warm but not hot. I am wondering if my water heater is bad.
Also, the water softener does not seem to be using any salt. I performed a manual reset, but I am not sure if it did anything. I am wondering if the drain line that goes out to my side yard and then underground, is blocked.
I can probably figure out the water softener, but I am not sure about the water heater.
Does anyone have an idea of what is happening with my water heater?
Thanks