Draining the hot water heater

[cnack72]

I got my first TT its a Surveyor sport 220. Should I drain the hot water heater after every time I use it and I am getting it ready for the first camping outing looking for any tips.

[OldCoot]

Make SURE the 110v switch is in the OFF position first. If you are going to leave it over about a week, I would drain it by removing the anode. Also, make sure the water pump is turned off and pull the pressure relief valve to release the pressure, otherwise you will get to chase the anode. lol

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by cnack72

I got my first TT its a Surveyor sport 220. Should I drain the hot water heater after every time I use it and I am getting it ready for the first camping outing looking for any tips.

Check the Surveyor forum for any tips you might need on the SP 220. A number of us have the 220, and there have been quite a few helpful posts.

[Herk7769]

Always use the anode/drain plug to drain the water heater. Using the low point drains to drain the water heater will suck bits of anode rod and calcium nodules into your cold water pipe (lowest pipe connection).

Once there, restoring water pressure will shoot that stuff into your faucet valves and toilet flush valve.

[SKnight]

Opinions vary, I only ever drained mine to winterize.

If you do, first make sure the system pressure is relieved. You can open any faucet and leave it open until it quits. I then close that faucet, go outside and loosen the anode, stand to the side and finish taking it out by hand. Once out open the safety pop off valve to let it breathe. That will deluge it and flush any bits of anode out and will keep your safety valve free and moving.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by SKnight

Opinions vary, I only ever drained mine to winterize.

If you do, first make sure the system pressure is relieved. You can open any faucet and leave it open until it quits. I then close that faucet, go outside and loosen the anode, stand to the side and finish taking it out by hand. Once out open the safety pop off valve to let it breathe. That will deluge it and flush any bits of anode out and will keep your safety valve free and moving.

The only thing I will add is to close your winterization valves before you drain it to keep crap out of the lines as it drains (glugs).

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by SKnight

Opinions vary, I only ever drained mine to winterize.

If you do, first make sure the system pressure is relieved. You can open any faucet and leave it open until it quits. I then close that faucet, go outside and loosen the anode, stand to the side and finish taking it out by hand. Once out open the safety pop off valve to let it breathe. That will deluge it and flush any bits of anode out and will keep your safety valve free and moving.

Or save a step and just pull the relief valve on the wh and let the pressure off there. The glugging will also remove some of the junk in the bottom of the tank.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by SKnight

Opinions vary, I only ever drained mine to winterize.

If you do, first make sure the system pressure is relieved. You can open any faucet and leave it open until it quits. I then close that faucet, go outside and loosen the anode, stand to the side and finish taking it out by hand. Once out open the safety pop off valve to let it breathe. That will deluge it and flush any bits of anode out and will keep your safety valve free and moving.

I would not recommend using the hot water tap to expel the air from the wh tank.

It's possible especially during the summerization process that you forgot to un bypass the wh and then when you use hot water tap you'll still get water giving the appearance that your wh is full when in fact it's empty.

The relief valve is the only proper way to get the air out and to double check that the wh full before turning on.

TURBS

Sabre owners united!

[SKnight]

The reason I open a faucet is to prevent the anode shooting out under force.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by SKnight

The reason I open a faucet is to prevent the anode shooting out under force.

Flipping the relief valve lever will do the same thing + giving you the opportunity to make sure the 110v switch is turned to the off position.

[tanddc]

It is a matter of personal preference but most people (myself included) do not drain it every time. It is an extra 48 LBs to tow and not really in a good place but I don't really think it is worth the effort.

[pwrstroke2012]

I only drain WH when I winterize at the end of season.

[cnack72]

Thank you everyone for the replys on draining the water heater what a big help.