Low Point Hot Water Drain

[davegood]

I have a 2011 Sunseeker 2300. Does the low point hot water drain drain the water heater? it is a real pain removing the anode rod.

[Oaklevel]

It is best to remove the anode rod to drain the water heater,. If you drain the water heater through the low point drain you are likely to clog up your water lines /system.

We drain our water heater annually to winterize for 40 years so the anode rod removal is no big deal.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by davegood

I have a 2011 Sunseeker 2300. Does the low point hot water drain drain the water heater? it is a real pain removing the anode rod.

Tank type water heaters "can" be drained using the low point drains if plumbing/piping conditions allow and most do but... not EVERY R/V is plumbed the same so plumbing routing can affect that ability.

With that said, it is never a good idea to try and drain the water heater with the low point drains. When doing so, the fill/mix tube in the water heater acts as a suction straw, sucking crap out of the bottom of the water heater where much of the crap remains in the plumbing and then gets redistributed back into the system where it clogs faucet aerators and toilet valves.

It is always best to drain the water heater by the anode or the drain plug or put the water heater into bypass and just leave it full when opening the low point drains when necessary. Once we fill our water system for the season, we never drain it until we winterize.

Here is a photo, looking into the bung where the anode resides in a Suburban water heater showing the fill/mix tube (back wall of tank) and how it sits low enough in the tank to suck the crap back into the system.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by davegood

I have a 2011 Sunseeker 2300. Does the low point hot water drain drain the water heater? it is a real pain removing the anode rod.

Most people, like myself, only drain the entire water heater once a year.
An anode rod is only found on Suburban model water heaters.
Cleaning the threads with a wire brush when you remove the anode is part of the maintenance to make things easier.
Viewing the condition of your anode rod is important, but removing it should only be once a year……unless you’re using some really nasty water.

[ejl923]

What is the issue with removing the anode, maybe we can offer tips? I personally remove water from my heater most times before towing to lessen tongue weight as it’s right up front. I find it quick and painless.

[D W]

X2 What everyone else said.

[davegood]

Originally Posted by ejl923

What is the issue with removing the anode, maybe we can offer tips? I personally remove water from my heater most times before towing to lessen tongue weight as it’s right up front. I find it quick and painless.

Apart from the mess with water pouring all over the compartment and side of the RV, I find that the new rod is difficult to seat and only tightens a small distance. I have often gotten a slow leak after turning on the water pump and a couple times have had to start over (which wastes 6 gal of water). The threaded part of the water heater where the rod is inserted has seemingly rusted and it is difficult to get the rod started. I do see it is a necessary process annually and will adjust