Is this a bypass on my water heater or just a cutoff?

[Grounded]

It's a 6 gallon Suburban water heater in my 04 Sandpiper and it has one cutoff valve at the cold water intake at the bottom of the tank. Do I just need to shut this when I drain the tank and then pump in anti freeze or is this just a cutoff valve and not a true bypass?

[MtnGuy]

If the valve is part of a tee, then it is probably a 3 way valve.

Can you post a picture ???

[Willis]

Originally Posted by Grounded

It's a 6 gallon Suburban water heater in my 04 Sandpiper and it has one cutoff valve at the cold water intake at the bottom of the tank. Do I just need to shut this when I drain the tank and then pump in anti freeze or is this just a cutoff valve and not a true bypass?

My current 2010 Flagstaff has 3 valves incorporating the bypass. These valves are just standard "gate" valves that you twist open or close like a spigot.

HOWEVER, my previous TT (2000 Fleetwood) had just 1 valve to make the bypass. This valve was a directional valve which allowed flow in whichever direction the valve was turned; i.e, the valve was always open and only the direction of flow was changed.

I suspect if you just have the one valve at the base of the WH that it's a bypass of the type I had on my old TT. You should be able to study the tubing configuration and see what it's doing.

Here's an example of what a one-valve installation looks like:

[MtnGuy]

Good diagram, Willis. With this type of bypass, there would also be a check valve near the hot water outlet at the tank, to prevent water from flowing back into the tank.

That is why I asked the OPer if the valve was the tee, indicating a 3 way valve. If it is not the tee and inline somewhere, then that indicates just a 2 way valve, and he needs to looking for other valves somewhere.

[Grounded]

Sorry it took so long to post back, my TT is not stored at home and I was not able to get back to it until last night. It is a one valve cutoff with a bypass hose and I assume a check valve at the top to prevent flow back into the water heater. I pulled the anode rod out and confirmed there's no antifreeze in the heater so I would assume all is well. Thanks for the help.