Debating whether to backflush a 50 gallon water heater. Tank is over 15 years old and has never been flushed/ drained to my knowledge. Drain valve is plastic and most likely not full port. I have my doubts about opening a can of worms here.
There's a lot of sediment in the tank as I can see after the tank siphons off to sink drain after draining lines to remove and install hot water supply lines, upon opening cold water supply to tank there's considerable sediment in all hot water faucets etc. The T&P valve drips even with power off and there's sediment in the drip pan. T&P is only 1.5 years old.
I thought I could hook an outside spigot water supply to the drain valve with a FxF washer supply hose, valve off the hot water supply to rest of house, and backflush through the hot water spigot at the basement sink next to the WH at least to open a hole for the drain valve. Go back, flush tank through drain valve. Repeat as necessary.
I'd replace the WH drain valve w/ a bronze valve, maybe full port valve.
Worth the effort or not?
I'm of no help, but I will relate my water heater story. I had a lower element burn out and when I drained the tank (literally took forever) and pulled the element and aimed a flashlight into the heater through the lower element opening, I saw a virtual cavern of white encrusting stuff, and it appeared to be at or near the level of the lower element. I was shocked, as the heater itself was replaced just a few years ago. Since then, I've opened the drain valve and let it run, but while the flow is good, not much "sediment" comes out. What does come out is a few small chunks of it. Most of it is solidly attached to the interior of the heater.
I am on a well, and we have an iron removal unit, which I'm guessing is adding calcium or something to the water. I'm thinking the white material may be Calcium Sulfate.
In your shoes, I would probably cut power to the heater in question, connect a hose to the drain, and see what comes out. Just be sure to leave the supply valve open. That pressure should help blow it out the drain. If that fails, you could proceed with your backflush plan.
You can backflush, forward flush, power flush, heck you can pick it up and shake it... you'll never get it all out, and it will refill with sediment in another couple years. I've never seen one without a truckload of stuff in it. Even my RV water heater has about an inch in the bottom.
Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:
you can pick it up and shake it...
Have you been working out, Bro?
In reply to 1988RedT2 :
No, I said YOU can pick it up and shake it. I'm already on a first-name basis with my orthopedist
There is also a sacrificial anode in there that should be changed once in a while.
