[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by New Englander

Well, the tank I replaced yesterday was never drained and was not leaking Yet. The anode rod was original. Twelve years on a basic water heater is pretty darn good. The new tank is about the same as the original. The plumber did an excellent job as well. Nice and neat work and took the old tank away.

Most people, including me, never do any maintenance on their water heater. Some people believe in draining the tank every year, and replacing the anode after 5 years or so. But, the manufacturers of these water heaters do not recommend this type of maintenance. I don't think that draining water through a tiny valve will remove enough sediment to do any good, and could actually cause the valve to leak, which would require replacing the valve. Replacing the valve could even cause damage to the tank. Most of the sediment will be caked onto the bottom of the tank and it will not drain out. Personally, I think it is a waste of time and money to try to extend the life of a relatively inexpensive appliance like a water heater. This is my opinion, but can make your own decision.

[ithos]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Most people, including me, never do any maintenance on their water heater. Some people believe in draining the tank every year, and replacing the anode after 5 years or so. But, the manufacturers of these water heaters do not recommend this type of maintenance. I don't think that draining water through a tiny valve will remove enough sediment to do any good, and could actually cause the valve to leak, which would require replacing the valve. Replacing the valve could even cause damage to the tank. Most of the sediment will be caked onto the bottom of the tank and it will not drain out. Personally, I think it is a waste of time and money to try to extend the life of a relatively inexpensive appliance like a water heater. This is my opinion, but can make your own decision.

Here is the recommendations from the manual:
At least once a year, lift and release the
lever handle on the temperature pressure
relief valve, located near the top of the
water heater, to make certain the valve
operates freely. Allow several gallons to
flush through the discharge line to an open
drain.
A water heater’s tank can act as a setting
basin for solids suspended in the water. It
is therefore not uncommon for hard water
deposits to accumulate in the bottom of the
tank. It is suggested that a few quarts of
water be drained from the water heater’s
tank every month to clean the tank of these
deposits.
-----
The anode rod should be removed from the
water heater’s tank annually for inspection
and replaced when more than 6″ of core
wire is exposed at either end of the rod.
Make sure the cold water supply is turned
off before removing anode rod.

Unfortunately you can not remove the anode rod in most houses because there is not enough overhead to remove it. It is probably best to remove it by cutting it in pieces and replace it with the segmented anode rods.

It was very negligent of the contractor to put in an undersized drain pan that is made of cheap plastic that degrades very rapidly. Do you have any idea of how much damage a water leak can cause if it is not contained? It also prevents conducting recommended maintenance whether it is performed by the homeowner or a technician. That includes draining it since you can not connect a hose to the bibb.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by ithos

Here is the recommendations from the manual:
At least once a year, lift and release the
lever handle on the temperature pressure
relief valve, located near the top of the
water heater, to make certain the valve
operates freely. Allow several gallons to
flush through the discharge line to an open
drain.
A water heater’s tank can act as a setting
basin for solids suspended in the water. It
is therefore not uncommon for hard water
deposits to accumulate in the bottom of the
tank. It is suggested that a few quarts of
water be drained from the water heater’s
tank every month to clean the tank of these
deposits.
-----
The anode rod should be removed from the
water heater’s tank annually for inspection
and replaced when more than 6″ of core
wire is exposed at either end of the rod.
Make sure the cold water supply is turned
off before removing anode rod.

Unfortunately you can not remove the anode rod in most houses because there is not enough overhead to remove it. It is probably best to remove it by cutting it in pieces and replace it with the segmented anode rods.

It was very negligent of the contractor to put in an undersized drain pan that is made of cheap plastic that degrades very rapidly. Do you have any idea of how much damage a water leak can cause if it is not contained? It also prevents conducting recommended maintenance whether it is performed by the homeowner or a technician. That includes draining it since you can not connect a hose to the bibb.

As I said, the manufacturer does not recommend that you ever drain the tank. They only "suggest" (not recommend) that you remove a few quarts of water every month. My guess is that almost no one follows that suggestion. I doubt that very many people would remove the anode rod annually to inspect it, even if there was space to remove it. My drain pan is plastic, it is 10 years old, and it still works fine. In The Villages, most water heaters are located in the garage near the garage door, so a leak probably would not cause major damage to the house. Also, if you hired a plumber to perform these maintenance tasks annually, you would spend way more money in 10 years than the water heater actually costs to replace.

[ithos]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

As I said, the manufacturer does not recommend that you ever drain the tank. They only "suggest" (not recommend) that you remove a few quarts of water every month. My guess is that almost no one follows that suggestion. I doubt that very many people would remove the anode rod annually to inspect it, even if there was space to remove it. My drain pan is plastic, it is 10 years old, and it still works fine. In The Villages, most water heaters are located in the garage near the garage door, so a leak probably would not cause major damage to the house. Also, if you hired a plumber to perform these maintenance tasks annually, you would spend way more money in 10 years than the water heater actually costs to replace.

I concur with some of your thoughts but a professional company would ensure that the prescribed PMs would be able to be performed. In some cases a warranty may not be honored if the recommened PM schedule was not adhered to.

Maybe a uncontrolled leak near an interior wall doesn't concern you but it does me.
As far as the rest is concerned, best let the professionals explain it.
Benefits Of Flushing Your Water Heater | First Choice Plumbing

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by ithos

I concur with some of your thoughts but a professional company would ensure that the prescribed PMs would be able to be performed. In some cases a warranty may not be honored if the recommened PM schedule was not adhered to.

Maybe a uncontrolled leak near an interior wall doesn't concern you but it does me.
As far as the rest is concerned, best let the professionals explain it.
Benefits Of Flushing Your Water Heater | First Choice Plumbing

Thanks for your comments. I would just add that my water heater is not located near an interior wall. One side is adjacent to the garage door and the other side is adjacent to the exterior wall to the front porch. A leak would not cause any damage to the interior of the house. I would also take issue with anyone who claims that they can "flush" out the sediment through the drain valve. The drain valve only has about a quarter inch or less of free area for water to flow through, and much of the sediment will be clumped together inside of the tank. If the manufacturer intended for the tank to be flushed, they would need to provide a much larger valve for flushing. You can drain the tank, but you cannot flush it out. I don't think that the typical homeowner does any maintenance on their water heater. This makes sense to me because the water heater will last at least 10 years with no maintenence, and it is one of the least expensive appliances in your house, about the same cost as a microwave oven.

[cahvillage]

[I used TECO, the gas company and they just added $15.99 a month on my bill. The cost is $979.00 until it is paid for.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Thanks for your comments. I would just add that my water heater is not located near an interior wall. One side is adjacent to the garage door and the other side is adjacent to the exterior wall to the front porch. A leak would not cause any damage to the interior of the house. I would also take issue with anyone who claims that they can "flush" out the sediment through the drain valve. The drain valve only has about a quarter inch or less of free area for water to flow through, and much of the sediment will be clumped together inside of the tank. If the manufacturer intended for the tank to be flushed, they would need to provide a much larger valve for flushing. You can drain the tank, but you cannot flush it out. I don't think that the typical homeowner does any maintenance on their water heater. This makes sense to me because the water heater will last at least 10 years with no maintenence, and it is one of the least expensive appliances in your house, about the same cost as a microwave oven.

Basically, I agree with what your are saying for an older tank that's never been maintained but if you start flushing out a brand new tank after the first year and every year after, you won't have that flood of sediment that you are talking about. Also, with an electric tank, if really doesn't matter how much sediment is on the bottom of the tank as long as it doesn't build up to where it reaches the lower heating element. Sediment mainly effects the efficiency of a gas hot water tank since it will coat and insulate the bottom of the tank blocking some of the heat from the gas below.

In your case, since the tank is by the garage door and there is nothing to hurt if and when it leaks, I would get the cheapest tank I can get installed and when it leaks just turn off the water, cut the feed pipes, drain the tank and kick it to the curb for special pickup to get. Then get another cheap one. That will be the most cost effective for someone in your situation. For everyone else who has to worry about water damage, best to get a reliable tank. Also, I'm not sure if any of you had this happen yet but my home insurance company wanted proof of when my hot water heater was installed. They wouldn't renew if the tank was too old. So, that eliminates keeping your tank for more than 10 years depending on your insurer.