Note to self when draining hot water tank...

[mikeyk101]

Originally Posted by PDuB-IA2MI

Would like to discuss this, my dealer told me to not sanitize the tank as it corrodes the interior. The high temp of the hot water does the sanitizing, doesn't it?

Excellent point!

[rjb16fq77]

Sounds like something I would do. To prevent a surprise hot shower I removed the plug / annod and installed a ss coupling and close nipple. I drilled and tapped a 1/8 pipe thread in the side of the coupling and installed a brass petcock.Last I installed the annod. Now when I leave a campsite I just open the petcock and the hot water blows a small stream sideways and down and drains while I am driving home.I installed a 1/4 turn valve on the fresh water tank drain also for the same reason. Very handy and easy with no tools required to lighten the load. Cheers Rob

[NJKris]

I think the Suburbans are glass lined. But not really important, as diluted bleach may oxidize aluminum, meaning it will darken and not be pretty and shiny, but it shouldn't hurt it or corrode it. If anything, it will have a protective aluminum oxide finish.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by NJKris

I think the Suburbans are glass lined.

As per Suburbans website:


Heated water attacks all metals - and that's why Suburban uses porcelain-lined, steel tanks with an anode rod to "absorb" the electrolytic action - just like your water heater at home. To understand the purpose and function of the Anode Rod, please

CLICK HERE and take a moment to watch this short video.

In fact, when a Suburban Advantage porcelain-lined tank is properly maintained, tank life may double or triple its three-year limited warranty saving owners the cost of premature replacement. In addition, every Suburban Advantage tank is pressure tested twice during the manufacturing process to ensure its integrity.

[Bob Brown]

Yes I forgot to release the hot water tank pressure release valve too while removing the anode rod and luckily the water was cold as the anode rod went flying and I got soaked and I'll never make that mistake again!

Being a relative newbie of 6 years I have learned a lot and need to learn a lot more and am thankful for all the information I read through this forum.

Bob Brown

_________________________________________

Forest River Sunseeker 2013 3170ds

[garywilson]

I've ruined or pitted aluminum products using bleach on them.
I don't know what percent solution would be ok, but the little bit I use and the frequency I use it (3 times in last 9 years) don't seem to have hurt the heater.
I flush with clean water prior to turning on the heat.

[IDguy]

Originally Posted by mikeyk101

This is true but I just decided for this time that it only needed draining. The water in there had been sitting for the last couple weeks and I was getting concerned. And it was a matter of just turning 2 valves to bypass it.

It will heat up and kill germs if you use it. No need to sanitize beyond after winterization. Doing this over 50 years.

[JArry]

Originally Posted by wmtire

In fact, when a Suburban Advantage porcelain-lined tank is properly maintained, tank life may double or triple its three-year limited warranty saving owners the cost of premature replacement. In addition, every Suburban Advantage tank is pressure tested twice during the manufacturing process to ensure its integrity.

Is anyone else interpreting this as a statement by Suburban that its customers should rest assured that a well-maintained tank will last six or nine years rather than three before needing replacement? (!)

[IDguy]

Originally Posted by JArry

Is anyone else interpreting this as a statement by Suburban that its customers should rest assured that a well-maintained tank will last six or nine years rather than three before needing replacement? (!)

In 50 years of RVs with at least a dozen RVs only replaced one hot water heater…after 9 years.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by mikeyk101

… After cranking on it, it started to move. I kept going and all of a sudden I get blasted by a wall of water and the drain plug goes shooting past me! Doh! I realized I didn't let the pressure out of the tank first. ...

I did exactly the same thing last week. The water wasn't hot but I and everything nearby was covered in a spray of calcium precipitate. At least it didn't take much effort to clean it out.

[JArry]

Originally Posted by IDguy

In 50 years of RVs with at least a dozen RVs only replaced one hot water heater…after 9 years.

Hence the exclamation point.

I don't use mine so do not expect a replacement during my period of ownership!

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by JArry

Hence the exclamation point.

I don't use mine so do not expect a replacement during my period of ownership!

Stop being such a Spartan! You have an RV now! Hot water is nice, dishes wash better, and cold showers suck.

[Toy4Rick]

Every plumber I have talked to and my brother who spent 20 years working for a plumbing supply house always said, the pressure relief value is for emergencies only and if you use them, almost guaranteed they will start leaking...

It only takes a min to release the pressure from a hot water faucet

YMMV

[NJKris]

Huh. Didn't know that. Been doing it 3 years, doesn't leak a drop. Guess my mileage DID vary!

[JArry]

Haha. With an A-frame Spartan is the name of the game!

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by Toy4Rick

Every plumber I have talked to and my brother who spent 20 years working for a plumbing supply house always said, the pressure relief value is for emergencies only and if you use them, almost guaranteed they will start leaking...

It only takes a min to release the pressure from a hot water faucet

YMMV

They do drip a bit afterwards until the water drys up. If it starts dripping on a regular basis just open the dang thing then let it snap shut.

Originally Posted by NJKris

Huh. Didn't know that. Been doing it 3 years, doesn't leak a drop. Guess my mileage DID vary!

Mine leaks more than a drop, but only when I open it except when it's empty to start with.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by Toy4Rick

... It only takes a min to release the pressure from a hot water faucet ...

Just walk around to the outside shower.

[mikeyk101]

Originally Posted by Toy4Rick

Every plumber I have talked to and my brother who spent 20 years working for a plumbing supply house always said, the pressure relief value is for emergencies only and if you use them, almost guaranteed they will start leaking...

It only takes a min to release the pressure from a hot water faucet

YMMV

That would have probably been a good idea if I hadn't turned the hot water bypass valves prior. With the bypass valves turned, I could have opened every single hot water faucet and it wouldn't have had any effect on the pressure in the hot water tank. If I had been aware of what kind of pressure the hot water tank had in it, I might have tried the opening of a hot water faucet somewhere in the system. I guess I will put that tidbit down on another note to self...

[dkrohse]

Hi. I had struggled getting the anode rod in and out due to the fittings getting a bit of corrosion. I decided to try using food-grade silicone grease from the household plumbing department in our Menards on the threads. It has eased the install and removal immensely.